Buying a home for the first time is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful. Between the paperwork, the negotiations, and the legal closing process, there is a lot to do and think about. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier, more efficient, and successful overall. Here are three tips to consider making use of:

Hire a Personal Agent

An excellent way to make sure that everything from choosing a home and getting a loan to closing a deal and establishing move-in dates is to hire a personal real estate agent to do most of the legwork for you. An agent will not only send you personalized MLS listings that meet your preferred specifications, but they'll also:

• Escort you to tour prospective homes or even preview them for you.

• Spot overpriced listings and keep you focused on the good deals.

• Make sure all necessary inspections are completed on time.

Your real estate agent will also be able to negotiate purchase price with the owner of any home you may want to buy. They may be able to save you hundreds of dollars off the purchase price through the negotiation process.

Hold off on Credit Activity

Taking out a loan for a vehicle, establishing a new credit account of any kind, or even getting a new credit card from your bank are all major credit transactions that require the lender to run a hard inquiry on your credit report. This process can actually lower your FICO scores and in turn damage your chances of getting the loan you need to purchase a new home. So, it's a good idea to hold off on creating any credit activity until after you've been approved for your new home loan.

Look for Some Extra Assistance

As a first time home buyer, you may be eligible for state or federal assistance that will make it easier and more affordable to purchase your house. You might be able to take advantage of tax credits, interest free loans, or even loans for low down payments. Ask your agent to find out what kinds of programs you may be eligible for so you can apply early and better manage your budget as the buying process unfolds.

By making use of these tips and tricks, you should be able to successfully find the home of your dreams and and get the funding you need to purchase it.