Before you even start looking at homes, understand what you can afford. A lender will review your finances and give you a pre-approval letter, which shows sellers that you are a serious buyer.

Finding the right real estate agent can make or break the process. A good agent is your advocate and will help you find the best properties to view, make competitive offers, and guide you through the transaction. 

Once you've submitted a strong offer with the help of your agent and it's accepted, you'll go through inspections, appraisals, and finalize your mortgage information before heading to closing. Your agent will help you navigate any bumps in the road and will help you get to closing day.