There are many things that should be considered when buying a home. Since most homebuyers expect to buy a bigger and better home someday in the future, resale value is an important factor in decision-making. You use the proceeds from selling one home to buy the next one. While no one can guarantee that your home will grow in value, there are steps you can take that maximize your potential gain.

Use Our Tips to Get Your Finances Ready t's never too early to start planning when you want to buy a home. These seven steps will put you on track.

1. Decide on your price range

Calculate how much you can afford. For example, if you can afford a maximum monthly payment of $1,000, you will be looking at a total loan amount of about $167,000 (assuming a 30-year fixed rate at 6 percent). And, remember, owners have different monthly bills than renters. Along with the mortgage payment, you’ll have to pay homeowner’s insurance, utilities and property tax. If you are realistic about your limits, you can focus on the right price range.