It’s easy to fall in love with the first house you see while doing some shopping around the neighborhood. People hastily put a down payment on a property that has an appealing price tag or great curb appeal, only to be disappointed later on when they stumble upon better properties that are priced more affordable, have more amenities and space, or is in better condition or a better area. To help you avoid this common mistake when shopping for homes, here are five tips on how to stay strong and budget conscious:

Know Your Outer Limit

With real estate being a hot market right now, there is a good chance you’ll want to make an offer above the asking price of a given property. But this is only possible when you know what your ceiling or cap is. Identify an outer limit and stick with it. There is nothing more upsetting than feeling like you’ve overpaid for a purchase, especially if it’s a big-ticket item like a house.

Know Your Options

Staying strong and conscious of one’s finances entail knowing what options are available. Hard money loans, for instance, are a good way to finance a new house for homeowners who do not have a good credit score or history. Hard money loans, as the name implies, receive funding based primarily on the property value. Keep in mind. However, that hard money loans come with higher than standard interest rates. The loan amount for these loans is often calculated on a max of 65 percent of the present value of the real estate.

Bring Support

Buying a house is a monumental task and a milestone in any person’s life. Unless you’re a billionaire and have the resources to splurge on properties, you are probably only going to be able to buy a house once or twice in your lifetime. As such, bring people who can help you make better decisions. Different people tend to notice different things. You might be overly focused on the chandeliers or marble countertops, but your companions might spot potential health hazards and child-unfriendly features.

Narrow Your Search Parameter

Let your budget decide which areas and neighborhoods you conduct your search. It doesn’t make sense to look in an area where median home prices are upwards of a million if you only have a $200,000 budget. You will only be wasting your time as well as your broker’s time. Aside from price, you should also narrow your search parameter based on cost of living. Between the closing costs, property taxes, and cost of living, you are looking at a few thousand dollars extra each year.

Expect it to Be a Long Search

Buying a home isn’t like any other purchase. It’s hard enough to buy a car, which is ten times less expensive than a decent property. Don’t expect the search to end after a day or even a week. Allot at least a month of regularly searching houses before you find one that best suits you. Acknowledging the fact that it will be a long search helps you maintain a rational mindset when shopping for properties.

Staying strong and budget conscious can be especially challenging when you have no concrete plans or knowledge of your finances. Nevertheless, the decision you make when searching for a new house can greatly impact your life for the next 10 to 30 years. The last thing you want to do is be hasty and trigger-happy.