Your next home purchase should be a good decision.

With the hustle and bustle of trying to find a new home, the last thing you want to worry about is saving money when it actually comes time to buy. Use the following tips to save money on your next new home.

Always Use a Real Estate Agent
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to purchase a home without a licensed real estate agent. Not only can an agent help with paperwork, but they’ll also know how to negotiate the price using fair market value, the actual condition of the home and other various factors.

Try Not to Pay PMI

Also known as private mortgage insurance, this is tacked on to your monthly payment if you buy a home with less than a 20 percent downpayment. Some lenders will still offer standard mortgages with smaller downpayments, but they’re increasingly hard to find. Save money by trying to save at least 20 percent for your home, or purchase a home that fits into a slightly smaller budget.

Find Better Insurance Rates
Similar to auto insurance and health insurance, monthly property insurance premiums vary depending on the company that underwrites the policy. Spend time shopping around to different insurance companies until you find the one that offers an affordable rate and sufficiently covers your property.

There are a variety of methods consumers can use to save money, both upfront and during the course of their mortgage. To avoid financial issues in the future, always purchase a home that is within your set price range and never buy a home with zero money down; doing so will make it much harder for you to borrow against the property in the future.