Personal budget
Before a person does research, figure out personal desires and personal budget. Some sites will offer worksheets and calculators to help determine income base and what a person can afford. Someone can be prequalified for low cost home loans before a person begins house hunting. That way they can have a realistic idea of what kind of financing to get. Then a person will avoid the disappointment of finding the house of their dreams that they cannot qualify for. It is important to look at all options before making any decisions. A good financial officer will be able to explain all the options for each specific situation. Know all the details of each option presented therefore avoiding regrets later when the loan is signed.