For starters, don’t think of your home as a financial investment, but rather a lifestyle investment. Think about what you want to accomplish most in life and how your home will fit in that picture for, at least, the next five or ten years. Being sure of what you value most in life will guide you in picking your perfect home. If the laid-back country and beach lifestyle of the Central Coast speaks to your heart, as it does to mine, you’re going to love the real estate in Central Coast California!

Of course, you’ll need to be sure you’re financially ready to own a home and figure out how much mortgage you can afford. You need to know your credit rating and make a working budget of all your income and obligations. For most loans, your total monthly debt should not exceed about 37% of your gross monthly income, and your monthly housing costs (including taxes and insurance) should not exceed about 28%. You’ll be at a great advantage if you can get pre-approved for a home loan. Consider using budgeting software, doing plenty of online research, and talking to a financial planner or housing counselor, as well as experienced family and friends.