Buying a home for the first time? It may be the single biggest investment you’ll ever make. For this reason, it’s very important that you purchase the right home for your needs, budget and life circumstances. Otherwise, you may end up in a financial commitment that you can’t get out of easily.

To ensure that you make the best possible decision, we recommend asking these 12 first-time home buyer questions before purchasing a new home.

1. 
   

   How much house can I really afford?

   
   


2. 
   

   What type of mortgage should I get?

   
   


3. 
   

   Do I have good credit?

   
   


4. 
   

   What are the closing costs (and moving costs) involved in the sale?

   
   


5. 
   

   How much do utilities cost on a monthly basis?

   
   


6. 
   

   How long do I plan to live in the hom...