Buying your first home in , may very well be the most important decision you will make in your life. You are in for an exciting journey and adventure. As long as you know what lies ahead you will be well prepared for home ownership and all it entails. Here's a brief checklist of the most important things you should keep in mind when looking for your first home.

#1 - How much can you really afford? Before you start looking you should have a price in mind that is not flexible and cannot be raised. It is tempting to take a look at houses that are slightly higher than your budget, but if you fall in love with one of them you may end up buying it and later regretting it. Let your agent in know your maximum price right at the beginning and let them know you do not want to see any houses in that have a higher selling price.

#2 - Do you want a home that is in perfect condition or do you mind putting some more work into it after the purchase? You may be able to find a home that needs a small amount of work and be able to get it at a decent price because of that. Some people want a home that requires no repairs and is in perfect condition at the time of purchase. This is a decision you should make before you start looking at houses in , because it will narrow down the search for a home significantly.

#3 - Although it may seem unimportant at first, buying a house with two floors or more will mean a lot of stair climbing. Some people really don't mind the stairs, while others prefer all the rooms to be situated on one floor. If you are buying this home as a potential place of retirement in the near or distant future, you may want to consider getting a bungalow. Some people really don't mind the stairs, while others prefer all the rooms to be situated on one floor.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Columbia South Carolina real estate. For complete information about the real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at or email me at .