OOPS!! Big no-no’s when buying a house:

Not getting pre-approved. In this market, sellers won’t even consider your offer without a lender's letter
Maxing out your budget. If things in your life go sideways you need to be able to handle unexpected expenses and maxing out your mortgage is a no-no
Skipping the fine print. Do you have a prepayment penalty or a variable rate on your mortgage? It’s important to know beforehand the terms and conditions of your loan
Making decisions from the heart instead of the head. This one is soooo hard. But try and take the emotion out of the equation.
Not factoring in other expenses.
Not protecting your credit score before closing. This is not the time to take out a loan for a new car or furniture for your new home.