I'm 30 this year and am a first-time homeowner. Getting a new home is scary though and feel like there is a lot that I don't know. What are key things to take note and not miss out?

Fluatuation of interest rates may have a big influence over your monthly cash flow...

Start with financial planning, and know what you can afford before you visting show flats, going for viewings, etc. If you want to be absolutely prudent, ensure the total price of your home does not exceed five years of your combined annual income. The monthly costs - including repayments and maintenance - should ideally not exceed 30 per cent of your monthly income.

Pay attention to maintenace costs, so you won't be shocked when you realised you're paying, say, $900 to $1,200 every quarter if you buy a condo (they usually collect on a quarterly basis).

Always get Approval In Principle (AIP) before you secure an Option To Purchase; this is to ensure you don't lose the deposit, by putting it down and then later failing to get a loan.

Never rush into a purchase, and give yourself time - my own belief is that, even if you feel 99% sure you've found the right unit, you should give yourself at least one or two days to think it over, and try to find an alternative to compare to (yes, you might miss out on it, but better that than a decade of regret).