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106 | SignatureMT SignatureMT's REALTOR ® T ips Text by G.M. Filiska 106 | SignatureMT 1. Know thyself. Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you're leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors? 2. Research before you look. List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you'd like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. en hop onto realtor.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you'd like to view. 3. Get your finances in order. Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you're comfortable spending each month on housing. Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to investigate financing. Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification leer spelling out how much you're eligible to borrow. e lender won't necessarily consider the extra fees you'll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so 8 Tips for Finding Your New Home 8 Tips for Finding Your New Home A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you'll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. ese eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.