If you’ve never before worked with a real estate agent to purchase a house, it’s all new to you. And it can be overwhelming. But if you go into the process feeling well-prepared and in the know, it can alleviate a lot of the headaches that come with the home-searching process.

Your rainy day fund is even more important once you buy a house. Incidental expenses will likely arise now and again, but you can prepare for them by taking the proper precautions ahead of time and arming yourself with the knowledge to confidently fix any potential emergency situations.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a second- or third-, financing can be a struggle. But you’re in luck, because the South Dakota Housing Developing Authority (SDHDA) offers financial assistance to individuals and families who qualify by meeting certain income and purchase-price standards.

Check out the variety of assistance options at your fingertips.

Choosing the right real estate agent can depend on a variety of factors. You need to establish a level of trust with the person who’s representing you so you can feel confident that you're receiving the best service to meet your needs.

It's important to not start the homebuying process without first establishing the limitations of your monthly budget. When you rent an apartment, there are certain monthly bills for which you're responsible (i.e., rent, renter's insurance, select utilities, etc.). When it comes to homeownership, however, there will likely be several additional financial responsibilities you'll want to account for in your projected budget.

If you’re in the market for your first house in Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) has the program for you. To get you kick-started, here are a few jumping-off points to getting involved in the SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer Program locally.

There comes a point in time in which your starter home begins to feel a little small. Whether it’s an expanding family, the desire to move to a new neighborhood or city or just a general itch to spread out, moving to a new house might be on your agenda. 

Looking to get information on buying your first house? No matter where you are in South Dakota, there are resources available to you if buying your first house is on your agenda. A certified counselor can walk you through the process, or you can utilize online information – whichever speed you prefer. Here are some of your options:

A lot goes into purchasing a house. For a first-time homebuyer, the experience is brand new and the learning curve can be steep. Before you start the process, keep these five things in mind as you secure your house’s financing.