<prompt> Human: Im researching on my own but was wondering if anyone here would be able to provide some input. We are currently putting 1000-1500 away a month and are aiming for 15,000 saved before we start to make some serious considerations. I am also putting 10 in my 401k which my company matches and I save on the side as well because I want to make sure our other savings funds are pretty solid before we buy. Other than that I have no idea what to prepare for or what steps should be taken. For instance, I have good credit and she does not shes working on it so hopefully that will have improved when the time has come. How would something like that effect the buying process? Besides that, what are some general guidelines that new home buyers should be aware of? I want to be as prepared and as knowledgeable as possible. Thanks!EDIT: Thank you all so much for the great replies and information! It is much appreciated. Im at work so I havent had the time to read everything carefully but the small amount I did get to read I feel as though it has helped already. Also, for those of you who have mentioned our marital status, I understand that, legally, being married before purchasing a house is the ideal and preferable situation. This is something that both of us are aware of. I made this post so that I can have an understanding of what goes into buying and what I should have a knowledge of in preparation for buying and I wasnt expecting to get many replies. We dont plan on buying soon. Our immediate goal is to save enough money to make this dream become a reality when we are both ready and by that time we will most likely already be married as that is where we both want our relationship to go. Anyways, thank you once again!  <response>: 3 things. I am restating but expanding on some previous topics.1a. Personal Mortgage Insurance adds a few to your loan. Over 15-30 years its huge. Try to have 20 down payment to avoid it. If you cant then know some mortgages have PMI for the life of the loan, in which case you will have refinance to eliminate the PMI when you reach 20 equity. Some mortgages have the PMI automatically fall off when you have 20 equity, but you will have to call them. Now 20 equity is not only what part of the loan you have paid but additionally any appreciation on your house.For example, the house is purchased for 200,000 with 10 down 20,000. 2 years later you have paid down the principal 5,000 so 2.5 for a total of 12.5 equity, BUT your house value has appreciated to 220,000 in value. So your equity is 220,000value - 175,000 loan 220,000 45,000 220,000 20.45 equity. You will probably have to pay for an appraisal 300-500 at that point to get the PMI removed, assuming the mortgage allows it.1b. Its a good point that a credit union or mortgage broker is generally going to have a better rate than a bank, but shop them all.1c. Shop your casualty insurance with your mortgage broker floodfirewindstormice dont just take the first one they say to. Then get quotes every 2 years just like your car insurance. There are always companies changing their rates higher and lower. -2. Home inspections. Unless the house is brickless than 5 years old get one. They have two purposes. First, the wood destroying organisms WDO inspection has a guarantee, usually 2-5 years, if you find termitesmoldetc you can file a claim against the inspection company to pay for the repairs. Second, anything they find wrong you can use to negotiate a lower price. Example bad AC the seller will have to put 5,000 in escrow to pay for a new AC after the sale closes. Before you hire an inspector ask to see an example report. If their report only has a few categories rated badsufficientgood move on to a different one. A good report should include pictures of: any problems, roof condition, AC with model year visible, atticcrawl spaces, irrigationhousepoolwater purification pump system if applicable, pressure reading of the water system tank if applicable, water heater with model year visible . A great report should include a cross coil temp reading on the AC. This is the difference in temps between the air going in and the air going out, showing if its low on Freon or the compressor is spotty. Be there when the inspector walks through. If he doesnt have a ladder on his truck find a new inspector. If he pops his head in the attic but doesnt climb around in it, find a new inspector. Same with crawl spaces under the house. If they write in the report could not inspect sue to excessive furnishings that report is useless. Any claims for WDO problems will not be paid out bc of this. Call and tell them you want a better inspection give list above or your money back. If not, you will rate them to hell on every internet site possible. -3. File for a homestead real estate tax exemption after you buy your house. They vary from state to state but generally gives you ,000 you dont pay in real estate taxes on AND locks the amount your houses taxable value can increase by 234 a year.Source: Im and EA and CFP. Father was a home inspector and flips houses. Mother is a property appraiser for the county. 