Being a first time home buyer and hunting for your dream home can be quite exciting, and it is possible to eliminate any stress from to the several things that you would have to be keep track of and the factors needed for the several important decisions to make. It is of vital necessity to spend some time searching new neighborhood and looking at the various homes for sale. You might have to do your own research work to find out if the new neighborhood will suit your needs.

One important step of the home buying process that should be done by a first time homebuyer is to explore at least a five block radius of their ideal neighborhood to see if there are any homes for sale. This can be easily done by driving around the area, or navigating your way through your chosen neighborhood using an online mapping tool. This will allow you to have a relatively long list of homes for sale to choose from in the areas of your preference.

It is to your advantage as a first time home buyer to be aware of the where the nearest gas station, groceries, public libraries are in each specific area of your choice and its access points to interstate or major highways. Always bear in mind what it would be like to actually live in that specific area. Make mental notes of the locations of the different stores, service centers and roadways so that you will be know how convenient and accessible you are to these facilities.

You may also want to learn about zoning laws in your particular neighborhood, especially if you're considering moving to an entirely new area. While some first time homebuyers are satisfied with the layout and structure of their new home, others are determined to start remodeling within months of moving in. Make sure you understand basic zoning laws and regulations for building pools, decks and extending your home out into the garden or yard so you can make the best decision for your needs.

You also have to find out if there any taxes, association fees, and any other fees that have to be paid if you decide to buy any of the homes for sale in that specific area. You can get this information by contacting a real estate professional or checking the local county tax collector's office website. Most tax collector offices have a website which will allow you to input an address and find out tax information. To find out association fees and other fees related to the purchase of any of the homes for sale, contact a local lender or a licensed realtor for an estimate.

Doing your homework about the prospective neighborhood is an important step as a first time homebuyer. You can uncover some important details about taxes, zoning laws and fees associated with a property purchase by doing some basic research online and making a few calls to local real estate or mortgage professionals. Compile all of this data and organize it in a way that you can reference later. You will need this information to be available at your fingertips as you start narrowing down your decision for your new home!

Alexandria P. Anderson is a licensed Minnesota Realtor that uses the Minnetonka homes listings to help her clients to find and purchase Minnetonka real estate.