The viewing is usually the most exciting part of looking for and purchasing a home. It is the biggest purchase anyone ever makes, and home sellers usually go above and beyond when staging their homes. Because of this, home buyers find it so easy to fall in love with a home that looks great at first sight. But if you really want to make sure that you’re buying a home you won’t hate after all the staging is gone, you need to be aware of the things that aren’t easily assessed with a single look.

Here are the top 5 things home viewers miss when they view a house for the first time. Read up to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes!

1. Storage Units

Storage spaces are extremely valuable assets, and yet they are often overlooked. It’s easy to be blown away by a home’s massive living room, kitchen, or master’s bedroom, but if storage spaces are scarce, your newly bought home may end up looking like a cluttered mess once you move in. Make sure there’s enough built-in spaces for you to stow away your vacuum cleaner, chinaware collection, and beloved linens.

Ask about hidden storage areas in every room, and make sure that they are well-maintained. Just because storage areas are only used to store things doesn’t mean that they’re allowed to be in poor condition.

2. Where the house is facing

You may be wondering why it is important to know whether a house is facing north or south. The answer may not bother you during cooler months, but if the sun hits your house in all the wrong places during hotter days–summers in your home can be unbearably warm.

To avoid this, ask the listing agent or the owner about the sources of sunlight into the house. You don’t want a house that gets scorchingly hot in the summer, but you also don’t want all the walls blocking the sunshine and making the house extremely dark during gloomy days.

3. Dampness & Humidity

Dampness is not always be easy to spot in a home, which is why home buyers often miss this very important detail. Dampness in bedrooms and other rooms can pose serious health risks, so be sure to survey the house carefully and ask the agent if there have been any flash floods in the area in recent memory. Also watch out for musty smells, rusting and discolorations, as well as mold and mildew forming on walls. A newly painted room may also be a sign of a damp cover-up, so be wary of that.

4. Roof issues

The roof is a challenging area to check, but don’t risk skipping this during the viewing. Ask about the materials used for the room, as well as how often they’ve been maintained over the years. If you can, have a look yourself. However, if you can’t have safe access to the roof, check the attic and see if the interiors of the roof structure bear any signs of leaks. If so, this is an indication of a poorly-maintained roof (possibly with missing shingles!)

5. Soundproofing

If you turn off all the noise from inside the house, can you still hear what’s going on outside? If you’re a light sleeper, or someone who often works from home, loud noises from your neighbor’s houses or the street outside can be intolerable. When viewing a home, move past what you see and bring your attention to what you hear as well. Listen closely and make sure that the house is adequately soundproofed. If possible, try visiting the house during the day and night and check if you like what you hear, or in this case–what you don’t.

You may think that buying a house still isn’t in your realm of possibility. In fact, you may even feel a wave of panic just thinking about where to get the money for your down payment.

For many young people, saving up to buy a house is the least of their priorities, especially when you’re still in debt from student loans (and even from simply trying to get by until your next paycheck).

However, there are a few, small steps you can make for you to get a little bit closer to that goal. Depending on your lifestyle, there are different ways you can make small changes in the way you spend your money. Once you feel that you’ve already had a jumpstart in saving up for a house, you’ll see that you’re actively seeking more ways to set aside money for your first home.

Set a goal amount and break it down into less intimidating steps. It can be daunting to look at a five digit number that you have to produce for a down payment on a home. The key is to set realistic short-term goals that will eventually add up. Set aside a small amount from every paycheck, and label these savings specifically as “down payment money.”

Choose a bank with the most returns. If you’re not yet ready to invest your money in stocks, you can start by being smart about where you keep it. If the money you have right now is sitting in the bank, pick one with no ATM fees, high interest on savings accounts, and other perks that you can take advantage of.

Switch to hobbies that don’t consume electricity. If you’re fond of watching television (or keeping it turned on while you do something else), try pulling the plug (literally) on this bad habit. Instead of watching shows on TV, try exploring different electricity-free ways of entertaining yourself such as reading, playing outdoor sports, or taking long naps! Turning the TV off also means that you don’t get lured by ads into buying things you don’t need!

Schedule trips to the ATM. Withdraw a set amount of cash per week and stick to it. Divide the money into a fixed budget for each of your weekly expenses such as food, rent, leisure, etc.

Pay your future self first. Consider your savings as the amount you bill to your future self. With this in mind, make sure to pay yourself FIRST before anything else. You can ask your company’s HR department to deposit a specific percentage of your paycheck to your savings account each month.

Wait 30 days before making a purchase. Sometimes, the urge to buy something you don’t really need wears off after a few weeks. If you’re eyeing a pair of expensive shoes, don’t buy it just because you have cash at hand. See if you can live without it for another 30 days, and you’ll see that most of the time, you can.

Make your own coffee. The average American spends $1,100 a year on coffee. You can bring this amount down to less than half if you brew your coffee fresh at home every morning!

Stay healthy. This is a no-brainer. A healthy body means fewer trips to the doctor, and less hospital bills. Make exercise a habit (or an electricity-free hobby, like what we talked about earlier!), and eat your vegetables!

Get in on some food hacks. Speaking of vegetables, a cheaper but equally healthy alternative to fresh veggies are frozen ones. If you’re on a budget, those cheap, frozen broccoli are still a better option than a $3 burger. Look for easy-to-prepare meals you can store and reheat throughout the week, and by the end of the week you’ll be surprised with how much money you’ve saved by not eating out!

Invest. Investments don’t have to be huge. Some banks even allow you to start investing in the stock market via mutual funds with only $50 per month.

Do-It-Yourself. If there’s something you want to buy, do a quick search online to figure out if you can make it yourself. So many people take on DIY projects because it’s fun and can save you a lot of money!

Cancel your gym membership. No, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prioritizing fitness. There are a lot of ways you can exercise without relying on gym equipment, such as running outside and taking advantage of online workouts which you can do at home.

Kick the cigarette habit. Like hitting two birds with one stone, ditching the stick will save you up to $2000 a year, AND keep you healthier in the long run. It’s hard to quit, but doesn’t that extra $2000 a year sound amazing?

Spend moderately at restaurants. If you do have to eat out, one easy way to not splurge too much is to stick to water. The cost of alcoholic beverages and other flavored drinks are marked up by up to 3 or 5 times at most restaurants, so it’s better to just skip them. Desserts are also quite expensive at fine places, so just buy the ice cream at the supermarket and have dessert at home if you can!

Find generic alternatives. Ask your doctor if you can switch your brand-name drugs to generic prescriptions drugs. If yes, you may save a couple hundred dollars on your annual medicine consumption.

Say NO to email ads. Clean up your email by unsubscribing from marketing emails of your favorite brands. Online shopping is too convenient, which is why people often overspend without thinking twice. The only way to get rid of temptation is to look away!

Swap your stuff instead of buying. Look for things at home that you no longer use and swap them for things you actually need! Deals like this are great for replacing furniture, used books, CDs, and other things that are just stowed away to collect dust in your home.

Don’t spend your tax refunds! If you’re expecting a tax refund, bonus, or any large sum of money this year, give that cash some purpose by sending it straight to your down payment fund. It’s not everyday that you get this kind of money, be wise about where to put it!

Record your expenses. Keeping track of your spending habits is a great way make sure that your finances are under control. If you know where your money goes every month, it’s easier for you to make the necessary adjustments that can save you a lot of money.

Treat yourself! Depriving yourself too much will only take a toll on your spending plans. You want to save as much money as you can, but don’t do it to the point of unhappiness! You deserve to get yourself that delicious piece of steak every now and then.

See? Saving money doesn’t have to be hard and intimidating. You can still live a comfortable life now while saving up for your future home.

Follow this guide for a year or two and you may be surprised with how much money you’ve managed to set aside for a down payment on a home. Start today!

Are you considering buying a house with an interest-only loan? We rounded up the 5 most common questions about this type of loan and came up with the best answers from the experts.

What is an interest-only loan?

The interest-only period typically runs for 5 years (10 years max), after which the loan converts to the normal principal and interest repayments. However, borrowers are also given the option to pay the balloon (principal owed) as a bulk payment.

During the interest-only period, monthly payments are significantly lower than if you were approved for a traditional amortizing loan.

How are interest-only mortgage payments different from those of a traditional loan?

To understand how an interest-only loan works, keep these definitions in mind:

Payments for conventional mortgages combine the cost of the principal and the interest for every payment, while payments for interest-only loans include exactly what the loan says: interest ONLY.

Monthly payments on interest-only loans are relatively low since the principal is excluded during the loan term. Borrowers will then have to start paying the principal interest once the interest-only term expires, which is usually after 5 to 10 years. This means that higher monthly payments will still occur after the interest-only period.

How do you calculate the payment on an interest only loan?

The calculation of payments for interest-only loans is pretty straightforward. The loan balance is simply calculated by the interest rate.

For example:

It is important to note, though, that the payment rises and falls with the LIBOR rate (London Interbank Offering Rate), which is the benchmark most lenders (including banks and financial institutions) use to determine interest rates for short-term loans. If LIBOR rises, the interest payment increases.

You must also make sure that you fully understand the terms of your agreement, as this varies among lending institutions. The key is to be aware that interest rates are usually variable, and will adjust regularly according to the terms of your mortgage.

Who are interest-only loans for?

In fact, you should consider an interest-only loan only under certain circumstances, such as the following:

• Your source of income tends to be sporadic (i.e. commission-based, dependent on periodic bonuses, etc.).

• You’re an investor who receives dividends in quarterly or semiannual payments, or a high net worth individual who wants to maintain liquid assets for higher yielding investments.

• You’re a young professional who is confident that your income will considerably increase by the time the loan reverts to a conventional mortgage with higher payments.

• You’re a short-term homeowner planning to refinance or sell your home before the interest-only term expires, who prefers to have cash on hand rather than build equity.

These are just some situations in which interest-only mortgages can be a good idea. Still, borrowers must fully understand the risks involved in taking this kind of loan. Investors, for example, should make sure that they really invest the difference they save from low mortgage payments. Young professionals must be realistic about their future income, since optimism doesn’t always translate into money. There is also the risk of a market collapse, in which case first-time homebuyers cannot expect low interest rates.

Interest-only loans may not be ideal if you are a standard home buyer who wants to pay less on your monthly repayments. You’ll only end up paying more in interest over the years, since low monthly repayments on the principal will translate to higher loan interests over time.

How can I qualify for an interest-only loan?

The mortgage industry has started implementing stricter qualifying processes with tougher requirements. But if you have done your research and are sure that an interest-only mortgage is the best option for you, consider taking the time to consult with a professional or ask your agent to walk you through the process.

Interest-only mortgages also require “good” credit, which means that you need to have a score of 680 or higher. This also goes without saying, but you have to make sure to find a home which you are 100% sure you can afford for the foreseeable future!

In a very competitive housing market, buyers need to step up their game in every way possible. They need to establish that they have a good credit score, a mortgage pre-approval, and a reasonable offer with fewer contingencies. However, if sellers are faced with multiple offers from buyers who are all on a level playing field, a well-crafted offer letter can be a great advantage. It certainly helps humanize the complex process and can help buyers create an emotional connection with the sellers. Here are our tips for writing a compelling offer letter:

Dear Home Buyers,

1. Write it yourself

Your offer letter should be penned by you—not by your trusted real estate agent, not by your bestfriend, or whoever you think can draft it better. Since a purchase offer letter is a unique strategy available to you as a prospective buyer, take the time to write it well. Think of how you can sincerely express your love of the property and connect with the seller while maintaining authenticity.

2. Tell what you greatly love and appreciate about the home (because maybe you love everything about it)

Don’t just directly tell the seller that you want the house—explain why you want it. It’s true when they say “flattery can get you anywhere,” so remember that when writing your offer letter. Find details and features of the home that appeal to you most and mention those. Do you love the seller’s furniture selection? That big but well-maintained backyard? Did that master walk-in closet grab your attention? Tell the seller what you love about the home, but keep everything sincere. It will also help the seller know that you didn’t just send a generic offer letter you’ve copied somewhere. Those genuine compliments about the home’s details that you’re drawn to will surely flatter the seller since he or she must have handpicked many of those. Also, appreciate the fact that the seller took great care of the property.

3. Create a visual memory

“From the moment I first walked through your Craftsman-style door, it already felt like home…”

This may sound like something you read in novels and pocketbooks, but if that was what you felt when you first entered your potential home, then tell it in your offer letter. Because simply telling that “I love the home and would like my child to finish school here in this neighborhood” won’t just do the trick. Be descriptive in telling how you feel about the house, and how you envision yourself in it. Describe how you see yourself and your family having barbeque parties in that sun-kissed backyard, or lounging in a chair in that big, front porch with a book in your hands. Sellers will remember better what they’ve read if what you described provoked a visual memory to them.

4. Briefly give details about yourself

Introduce yourself and your family (Yes, even your fur-babies!) to the sellers. Briefly share details about your career, personal interests and hobbies, and other interesting things about you, as well as your connection to the area. If you’re buying with your significant other, you can briefly recall how you two met and, in a nutshell, describe your future plans in buying the home together.

You can also make it clear that you are going to be a buyer who’s easy to work with. Mentioning what you do for a living can help in presenting yourself as a stable buyer, and to reassure the sellers that they won’t have to deal with a shaky transaction.

5. Establish a personal connection

Try to know the things that the seller values and establish a connection from there. If you share a common interest or hobby with the seller, mention it in your offer letter to make yourself relatable. Indicate any similarities, however simple, that you think will strike an emotion and create a unique bond between you and the seller. It can be kids, pets, or their love for a particular flower or sport.

6. But don’t be too sentimental

Keep the emotions of your offer positive and upbeat. Don’t make your letter dreary by telling the seller how many homes you’ve already lost on; that you struggled with a recent divorce; or about a family member’s illness. Those situations can make the sellers feel uncomfortable, which in turn could backfire on you and come off as phony. Use enthusiastic but sincere language, and maintain a hopeful impression.

7. Exclude your plans to remodel the house

Sellers are, of course, still emotionally attached to their homes. So don’t mention any of your plans to remodel or renovate parts of the house in your offer letter because it might sound offensive to the seller. Avoid phrases that indicate that you want to change or tear down something and focus instead on what you love about the home.

8. Be humble

Since it’s up to the sellers to make a decision on whose offer to choose, stay humble and sincere throughout your letter. Ask for their blessing and stay modest. You could say things like “We would be so honored to be the next owners of your beloved home” instead of saying that you are confident that you will get the home, especially if you gave a generous offer.

9. “Honesty is the best policy”

Remember this golden rule when outlining everything you want to say in your offer letter. You may want to establish a connection or any common interest to the seller, but don’t lie if you can’t find anything that will relate you to them. The same goes for other details you include. Don’t say that your dog will like that big backyard if you don’t have any, or if you don’t really like dogs and don’t plan to get one anytime soon. Be honest and expressive in anything you say in your letter.

Similarly, if your offer is considerably low compared to others, be honest and explain why you’ve given that offer. If you have a young family who’s just starting out, you can say that your budget is still limited. Then make a powerful but sincere statement sharing what it would mean for you to have this house despite your limited budget.

10. Be creative but make it concise

In a very competitive market where sellers can get multiple offer letters, find a way to make yours stand out by being creative. Create a beautiful offer letter with eye-catching fonts and layout (just remember to not overdo it). Then include photos of you and your family that will complement the personal stories you shared. Aside from a creative format, the photos will set yours apart from the rest.

Want some ideas? This L.A. couple’s offer letter in 2016 stood out after they shared details of their unique careers and included pictures of themselves and their rescue kittens (meow!). Likewise, this buyer’s “epic” offer letter won them their house. The letter was designed in an eye-catching format featuring the family, their beagle Charlie (I told you, pets do count!), and specified their favorite features of the home.

11. End it with a sweet “Thank you”

If flattery can get you anywhere, a simple thank you can work wonders. Express your gratitude by ending your offer letter with wholehearted phrases like “Thank you for your time” and “We are very grateful for this opportunity.” It will let the sellers know that you value their time and effort in reading your letter and considering your offer.

12. Bonus Tip: Don’t forget the spell check and grammar check

Remember that your offer letter could create a strong impression to the seller, so it’s important that you write the best letter possible. Even if you don’t have the luxury of time in a tight market, proofread thoroughly to make sure that it’s free from any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. If grammar isn’t something you’re really good at, utilize free online writing apps or get help from someone who’s good at it. You never know if the house you love belongs to an English teacher or a professor, who may just cringe at the sight of misspelled words and grammatical mistakes that won’t just be considered as typos.