The choice to buy a house can take you from being a renter to a homeowner with your own home that you can maintain, update, and improve to your preference. But to make sure you have a successful home search and purchase, you will need to follow some key tips through your home-buying quest. Here are some helpful tips that you can use during your home selection and purchase process.

Select a Realtor

When you are looking to buy a house, hiring a real estate professional to work with you is a great decision that can help you make it through the process smoothly and can save you some money. A real estate professional will be able to thoroughly scan the market for any homes that match your search criteria in price, size, condition, and many other features, so you only spend your free time looking at homes that you would consider in your evaluation process.

Make sure you choose the right real estate agent to work for you. They'll need the experience and negotiation skills to help you get a good price on your home with a solid purchase contract to include contingencies if the deal falls through.  

To help you find the right realtor to work for you, ask around in your circle of influence to determine realtors that those you know have used. They can recommend successful agents who have completed many transactions. Check out their reviews online with other buyers so you can get a good picture, then take some time to interview them. Ask them questions about their professional work and you can get a feel for how they can help you. Always look for a realtor you feel comfortable working with because you will be spending quite a bit of time with them throughout the process.

Look at Housing Options

The type of home you buy can be dependent on what your needs are in a home and also what your budget allows. You may want to buy a single-family home in your area, but find that home prices are too high and you could find a more affordable option with a townhome. A townhome can give you the outdoor space you would like, but you have some shared walls with your neighbors. A duplex is also an option to give you the benefits of a single-family home lifestyle but without the higher price.

However, if you don't want the hassle of yard work or home maintenance, you can evaluate the purchase of a condominium or similar co-op-owned property. You will own the space inside the property, but the HOA will maintain and keep up the property's exterior and grounds, including snow removal and landscaping. Work with your realtor to help you decide on a housing type for your home search.