The first step in buying a home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you a clear understanding of how much you can afford to borrow, which will help you narrow down your search to homes that are within your price range. To get pre-approved, you will need to provide your lender with some financial information, such as your income, debt, and assets. They will then review your information and give you a pre-approval letter that states the maximum amount you are eligible to borrow.

A buyer's agent represents the buyer in a real estate transaction. They will work with you to find a home that meets your needs and budget, and they will negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible price. A seller's agent represents the seller in a real estate transaction. They will help the seller prepare their home for sale, market the property, and negotiate with buyers.

Closing costs are the fees that are paid when a property is sold. These costs can include lender fees, title insurance, appraisal fees, and government fees. The buyer and seller are typically responsible for paying different closing costs. The exact amount of closing costs will vary depending on the property and the location.