You’ve found the perfect home, or so you think.

Imagine searching endlessly for that one place where you feel warm and comfortable. After weeks, months, years even, you fall in love with a beautiful house and sign your name on the dotted line. However, a few months go by and you’re feeling empty and unsure of your decision. You’re feeling home buyer’s remorse.

Buying a home is a big commitment. In many cases, it is a lifelong commitment. And just as you would with any life-changing decision, when it comes to buying real estate, you need to weigh the pros and cons and consider all of your wants and needs before agreeing to any contracts. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck in a house you don’t even like.

You may be thinking, “Where do I begin?” Whether you are thinking of buying a condo, a townhome or a single-family home, we’re here to get you started with two easy-to-follow checklists:

• Home Buying Checklist: Condo/Townhome
• Home Buying Checklist: Single-Family Home

Feel free to customize them to your own personality, adding or subtracting anything you may or may not need. Buying a home should not be a rash decision. Take your time, do your research and figure out what you truly want before you make any commitments.

Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, there are a few extra measures you should take to ensure you won’t regret your decision:

Be absolutely sure you can afford it. Do you have enough for a down payment? Have you been pre-approved for a loan? Does your monthly payment fit into your budget? Answer all these questions before making an offer. Analyze your financial situation carefully so you know what you can and cannot afford.

Ask questions during closing. After you’ve had a home inspection, if any problems arise, ask the seller the necessary questions before closing the deal. Will they make any repairs? Will they give you an allowance to fix things yourself? If you’re unsure about anything, speak up before you finalize the purchase.

Stand by your choice. Just because someone else has an opinion on the selling price, the location or the current condition of your home, it doesn’t mean they are right. Perhaps they don’t know the market of the neighborhood you’re in, and maybe they live in an area where houses cost less (or more).

Don’t look at other houses. Once you’ve purchased your dream home, stop looking. You may come across another property that you like a lot more, but you will have already made a commitment to your current property. Be happy with your choice and embrace your new home.