If you're planning to take out a mortgage to pay for your home, you need to understand how your financial situation impacts your buying options.

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Here are a few of the financial factors that you'll need to have in good shape before buying a home:

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• Credit Score: You'll need a credit score of at least 620 for most conventional loans, although there are low-credit loans available to those who require it. It's best to plan ahead and find ways to raise your credit score now.

• Debt-To-Income Ratio: It's best to spend less than 36% of your income on debt each month, including your future mortgage payment.

• Down Payment: For a conventional loan, you'll need a down payment of at least 20%.

• Closing Costs: Home buyers will be responsible for paying 2-5% of the home's price in closing costs. Because the average value of a home in the state of Georgia is $216,314, that amounts anywhere from $4K-$10K of out-of-pocket payment. It's important to have this amount in savings to cover closing costs.

• Homeownership Costs: In Georgia, homeowners pay on average $2,331 in maintenance costs annually, although this amount varies from house to house. It's best to put aside 1% of your home's value each year to cover these costs.

A house's neighborhood is just as important as its layout and features. In general, you'll need to consider the following factors to decide which area is best for you:

• Home Values: Doing your own research to look at the home values of each neighborhood in the area will help you narrow down your search based off of what you can afford. It's also important to look at historical trends of each neighborhood to get a better understanding of property appreciation and if it will be a good investment in the future.

• Local Lifestyle: It's important that you find a neighborhood that fits the needs of your family. From amenities to distance in commutes, these are small yet significant factors that should be considered when determining your future neighborhood. 

Having a real estate agent that's experienced and local to the area is crucial. Aside from finding and showing you houses, they can make recommendations on other services you'll need throughout your buying process. When the time comes for you to buy your house, it's your buyer who will be negotiating the best deal for you.

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Take some time to research your realtor to make sure they have a resume that ranks high in the following areas:

• Years of experience

• Numbers of transactions within the last year

• Experience in your price range and chosen neighborhood

• Overall review score

• Individual reviews from former buyers

Most sellers won't show you their home unless you have a mortgage pre-approval letter. They don't want to waste their time with buyers who aren't serious or financially ready to put in an offer.

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Getting pre-approved for a mortgage gives you and the seller confidence that if they accept your offer, you'll be able to get financing and close the deal.

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• Interest Rates: The state of the economy, your financial health, the length of your mortgage, and many other factors can impact your interest rate. Over the years, having a lower rate can save you thousands of dollars.

• Lenders: Your mortgage lender will play a huge part in closing on your home. Make sure you choose one with a proven record of happy customers.

• Your Finances: Once you've been pre-approved, any changes to your finances or credit score can void your pre-approval. If you need to make a big purchase or have your credit checked, make sure to do it before you're pre-approved.

Viewing homes is the fun part of buying a house! But don't forget, eventually you'll have to make the big decision about which one is right for you.

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Here are some of the most important factors to remember when looking at different homes:

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• "Must-Haves" versus "Nice-to-Haves": No home is perfect. As you view homes, you'll have to decide which of your priorities are non-negotiable and which are just nice bonuses.

• Understand Current Housing Inventory: Depending on the time of year you're looking for a home, you might have fewer options to choose from. If there are fewer houses on the market, you might have to adjust your expectations.

Once you find a house you love, it's time to make an offer and convince the seller to sell to you. But if you don't know when to make an offer or how to make it more attractive, the seller might not accept it.

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• Move Fast: Know how quickly homes are going off the market so you don't wait too long to make an offer. In Georgia, homes are currently spending an average of 49 days on market before receiving an offer. If your dream house has been listed about that long, you shouldn't wait to submit an offer.

• Know How To Sweeten A Deal: Sometimes a higher price isn't your best option for getting a seller to accept your offer. You can write in different asks — like no contingencies — to create a deal that works for you and the seller.

Once a seller accepts your offer, there are a series of due diligence steps that ensure the home you’re buying is exactly what you signed up for. After inspections and appraisals, you'll have a chance to go back to the negotiating table if something unexpected pops up.

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• Inspections: A licensed professional checks the house for any unseen, unexpected, or potential issues.

• Appraisals: An appraiser hired by your lender will examine the house and determine how much it is worth.

When it's time to close, you'll be able to do a final walkthrough of the property to ensure it's still in the expected condition. While you might be excited for the buying process to be over, stay focused so you don't miss anything.

During the walkthrough, be sure to run through the following checklist:

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• Inspect the ceilings, walls, and floors for cracks, chipped or peeling paint, or other imperfections

• Test every light switch and electrical outlet

• Run the water to look for leaks and check the pressure and temperature

• Flush all toilets

• Make sure you have working keys for all the doors (don't forget any garage door openers or smart lock technology)

• Test any appliances that are included in the sale

• Check the heating and air conditioning system

• Open and close all windows while checking that they lock and there are no unexpected drafts

• Make sure all trash or belongings from the previous owners have been removed

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On closing day, be prepared to sign a ton of paperwork. Your agent (or your lawyer) should explain every document before closing, but still ask any remaining questions you have before signing.

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