--- title: How to Begin a Property Search for the First Time description: If you're looking to start your first property search, you need to know how to begin the process. Use these tips so you can find your first home the right way. image: https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/property%20search.jpg --- - [Pay Rent](https://sdnyrealty.com/pay-rent/) - [Forms](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) -   [![S&D Commercial Real Estate Agency](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/S__D_Real_Estate_January2019/images/sd-original-logo_300px.png?width=300&height=194&name=sd-original-logo_300px.png "S&D Commercial Real Estate Agency")](https://sdnyrealty.com/) - [About](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-commercial-real-estate-firm/) - [Agents](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-real-estate-agents/) - [Listings](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-listings/) - [Property Management](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-management-company/) - [Resources](https://sdnyrealty.com/real-estate-resources/) - [Neighborhood Guide](https://sdnyrealty.com/neighborhood-guide/) - [Long Island](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-commercial-real-estate/) - [Nassau County](https://sdnyrealty.com/nassau-county-commercial-real-estate/) - [Bethpage](https://sdnyrealty.com/bethpage-commercial-real-estate/) - [Farmingdale](https://sdnyrealty.com/farmingdale-commercial-real-estate/) - [Franklin Square](https://sdnyrealty.com/franklin-square-commercial-real-estate/) - [Garden City](https://sdnyrealty.com/garden-city-commercial-real-estate/) - [Glen Cove](https://sdnyrealty.com/glen-cove-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hempstead](https://sdnyrealty.com/hempstead-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hicksville](https://sdnyrealty.com/hicksville-commercial-real-estate/) - [Long Beach](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-beach-commercial-real-estate/) - [Mineola](https://sdnyrealty.com/mineola-commercial-real-estate/) - [Rockville Centre](https://sdnyrealty.com/rockville-centre-commercial-real-estate/) - [Suffolk County](https://sdnyrealty.com/suffolk-county-commercial-real-estate/) - [Babylon](https://sdnyrealty.com/suffolk-county-commercial-real-estate/babylon-commercial-real-estate/) - [Brookhaven](https://sdnyrealty.com/brookhaven-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hauppauge](https://sdnyrealty.com/hauppauge-commercial-real-estate/) - [Huntington](https://sdnyrealty.com/huntington-commercial-real-estate/) - [Islip](https://sdnyrealty.com/islip-commercial-real-estate/) - [Melville](https://sdnyrealty.com/melville-commercial-real-estate/) - [Riverhead](https://sdnyrealty.com/riverhead-commercial-real-estate/) - [Smithtown](https://sdnyrealty.com/smithtown-commercial-real-estate/) - [Southampton](https://sdnyrealty.com/southampton-commercial-real-estate/) - [Consulting Services](https://sdnyrealty.com/consulting-services/) - [Property Appraisal Services](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-appraisal/) - [Zoning Regulations](https://sdnyrealty.com/zoning-regulations/) - [Forms](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) - [Veterans & Military Housing](https://sdnyrealty.com/veterans-military-housing/) - [Join our Program](https://sdnyrealty.com/veterans-military-housing/#apply-now) - [Forms & Applications](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) - [Pay Rent](https://sdnyrealty.com/pay-rent/) - [Blog](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog) - [Contact](https://sdnyrealty.com/contact/) # How to Begin a Property Search for the First Time - January 12, 2017 - [Buying](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying), [buying your first home](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying-your-first-home), [Mortgage](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/mortgage), [property search](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/property-search), [buying a house](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying-a-house) - 0 ![How to Begin a Property Search for the First Time](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/property%20search.jpg) With all that goes into buying a home, it can be difficult to figure out exactly where to start. A home purchase could be the most you’ll ever spend in your life, so you shouldn’t take it lightly. If you’re trying to determine where to start your first property search, use these tips. ## Conducting your First Property Search ### The Money Factor Your dream home is always going to be out there, it’s just a matter of if you can actually afford it. It’s recommended that you take a trip to your local bank to determine how much you can spend on a new home without going broke. There’s no sense in beginning your actual property search without knowing your budget first. The bank will examine your savings and annual income to pinpoint the exact range of prices that you can afford. They can also tell you which new homeowner programs you’re eligible to receive. #### Pre-Approval Furthermore, if you qualify for it, you can be [pre-approved](https://www.credit.com/loans/mortgage-questions/how-to-get-pre-approved-for-mortgage-home-loan/) for a mortgage. A lender will go through your financials, including credit reports, statements and W2s. If they’re all in order, they will pre-approve you for a mortgage at a fixed rate. ![property search](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/property%20search1.jpg?width=450&name=property%20search1.jpg "property search") ### Wants and Needs Once you figure out the range of houses that you can afford, you need to come up with a [list of needs and wants](https://www.moneyunder30.com/home-buying-checklist-wants-vs-needs) that you are looking for in a new home. Begin with all of the things that you *must have*. These requirements should be rigid. For instance, if a home fills all but one requirement, it’s still a no-go. Prioritizing features will help you narrow down your list of homes. Next, write down all of the things that, while they aren’t absolutely essential, would be a welcome addition to your home. If all of the properties you look at fulfill each of your absolute requirements, homes with these “nice-to-have” features can make one more attractive than another. ![property search](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/property%20search2.jpg?width=450&name=property%20search2.jpg "property search") ### Hire a Realtor There isn’t anyone that knows the [residential real estate](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/long-island-real-estate-market-in-2017) industry better than your [local realtors](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/why-you-still-need-a-real-estate-broker-in-the-internet-age). When it’s your first time on a property search, it’s good to have someone with proficient knowledge of the process so they can assist you and answer any questions you may have along the way. Real estate agents can assess your needs and find homes that fulfill your requirements, as well as provide access to other exclusive properties. You probably don’t have much experience in real estate deals and [negotiations](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/how-to-win-your-next-real-estate-negotiation). A realtor will act on your behalf to get you the best deal possible and try to ensure every detail you need is included in the [contract](https://www.newhomesource.com/resourcecenter/articles/understanding-your-new-home-sales-contract). A property search isn’t the simplest undertaking. But, if you follow along with these steps, you should find your new home in no time. [![View Available Listings Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/432922/9ad65918-b9a7-437a-8872-09c1d59299de.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/432922/9ad65918-b9a7-437a-8872-09c1d59299de) ### Tags: - [Buying](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying) - [buying your first home](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying-your-first-home) - [Mortgage](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/mortgage) - [property search](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/property-search) - [buying a house](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying-a-house) ### [Previous post](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/retail-space-for-lease) #### [Obtaining Retail Space for Lease the Right Way](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/retail-space-for-lease) ### [Next post](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/property-management) #### [The Commercial Property Management Guide for Owners](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/property-management) ### Related posts [![How a Home Appraisal Determines Residential Property Value](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Home%20Appraisal.jpg?width=768&name=Home%20Appraisal.jpg)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/home-appraisal) - September 26, 2018 - [Buying](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying), [residential real estate](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/residential-real-estate), [Selling](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/selling), [property value](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/property-value), [Refinancing](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/refinancing) ### How a Home Appraisal Determines Residential Property Value Appraising a property plays a significant role in the real estate industry. While appraisals are used for a wide variety of reasons, one thing is... [Continue reading](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/home-appraisal) [![How to Start your Apartment Search Off on the Right Foot](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Apartment%20Search.jpg?width=768&name=Apartment%20Search.jpg)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/apartment-search) - August 15, 2018 - [Renting](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/renting), [Leasing Apartments](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/leasing-apartments), [property search](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/property-search) ### How to Start your Apartment Search Off on the Right Foot If you’ve ever spent time searching for a new place to live, then you know that the struggle is real out there. With so many buildings and... [Continue reading](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/apartment-search) [![What is a Home Equity Loan, and How does it Actually Work?](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Home%20Equity%20Loan.jpg?width=768&name=Home%20Equity%20Loan.jpg)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/home-equity-loan) - August 08, 2018 - [residential real estate](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/residential-real-estate), [Mortgage](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/mortgage), [Loans](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/loans) ### What is a Home Equity Loan, and How does it Actually Work? If you’re a homeowner looking to finance a large purchase or pay off preexisting debt, consider a home equity loan, also known as a second mortgage.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/home-equity-loan) ### Blog Search ### Recent Posts [![Click Here to Join our Newsletter](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/432922/19f66de0-1cba-45a5-a498-016133232e0e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/432922/19f66de0-1cba-45a5-a498-016133232e0e) ### Topics - [residential real estate (65)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/residential-real-estate) - [commercial real estate (48)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/commercial-real-estate) - [Buying (40)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying) - [Tips (36)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/tips) - [Renting (23)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/renting) - [Selling (20)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/selling) - [Mortgage (15)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/mortgage) - [commercial property (15)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/commercial-property) - [lease (15)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease) - [office (14)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/office) - [Finance (13)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/finance) - [buying a house (12)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/buying-a-house) ### Follow Us Find helpful blogs of both residential and commercial real estate on Long Island. 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