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\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandpointrealtyidaho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/20220608-KCM-Share-549x300-1.jpg?w=358&ssl=1\")
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If you\u2019re looking to buy your first home, you\u2019re likely balancing several factors. Because both mortgage rates<\/a> and home prices<\/a> have risen this year, it costs more to buy a home than it did even just a few months ago. But that doesn\u2019t mean you have to put your plans on hold.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you partner with a trusted real estate advisor and hone your strategy, you can navigate today\u2019s market and find the home you\u2019re looking for. Here are two tips to help you get started.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re having trouble finding a home in your budget that checks all the boxes, it may be worth taking another look at your lists of what you want and what you really need. According<\/a> to the latest First-Time Homebuyer Metro Affordability Report<\/em> from NerdWallet<\/em>, your wish list<\/a> can have as much impact on your search as your finances:<\/p>\n \u201cYour budget isn\u2019t all that you need to be concerned about; your wish list and desired location may carry just as much weight.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s all about prioritization. If you\u2019re serious about purchasing your first home soon, be flexible in what you\u2019re looking for to open up your pool of options. Partner with a local real estate professional<\/a> to better understand what\u2019s available in today\u2019s market and reprioritize your wish list. Remember, making a concession now doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll never have everything on your list. After you\u2019ve moved in, you can always add certain features to make the home your own<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some areas may have more homes within your target price range than others, but it may require you to be flexible on your location. For example, if you\u2019re a remote worker<\/a>, you may be able to expand your search radius. As Fannie Mae<\/em> explains<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201c. . . continued remote work flexibility is likely giving many the ability to live farther away in more affordable areas.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The decision to search in places with a lower cost of living could help you find a home that fits your budget and checks the most boxes off your wish list.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re serious about purchasing your first home this year, revisiting your wish list and desired location can help. Let\u2019s connect to explore all the options in our local market \u2013 and beyond \u2013 so you can achieve your homeownership dreams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019re looking to buy your first home, you\u2019re likely balancing several factors. Because both mortgage rates and home prices have risen this year, it costs more to buy a home than it did even just a few months ago. But that doesn\u2019t mean you have to put your plans on hold. If you partner […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[12],"tags":[29,27,20,18,28],"class_list":["post-2791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-insight","tag-idaho-real-estate","tag-north-idaho-homes","tag-rain-silverhawk","tag-real-estate","tag-sandpoint-idaho"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWork with a Professional To Prioritize Your Wish List<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Increase Your Search Radius To Consider More Locations <\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n