I am looking to buy a 3BR house, and will be a first-time home buyer. I’ve not yet found a reliable realtor, and would love to get some good advice on getting started with this confusing process. Can anyone give me a basic outline of the steps I should take in going about the whole home-buying process? Thank you in advance!

1) Get pre-approved for a loan. Bring documentation of your income for the last year, your debts (credit card, car loan, student loans), and your last 3 month’s bank statements to any lender for pre-approval. They will tell you how much home you can buy. Don’t worry, you don’t have to use them as a lender if you don’t want to.

2) Pick a few neighborhoods with homes in your price range and drive around them looking for open houses or "for sale" signs.

3) Make appointments with real estate the agents who are selling those homes so that you can view them.

4) Pick your favorite agent based upon his/her knowledge and willingness to help you.

5)The agent will provide you with a list of all of the homes in your price range that meet your needs (i.e. 3 BR houses).

6) Work with the agent to view some of those homes.

7) Pick your favorite home and make an offer.

steps to buying a house Work with a mortgage broker to find the best loan for you. You should probably start with the lender who pre-approved you.

9) Let the agent guide you through all of the paperwork.