Have you found the home of your dreams but are overwhelmed by the price tag? This is a no-win situation that challenges even the most patient, resourceful homebuyer, and perhaps for good reason. Finding the perfect home may take days, weeks, months or years. And if you discover a residence that meets all of your needs but falls outside your budget, you're likely to be tempted to overspend to acquire this residence. However, you'll want to take a step back and think carefully about your decision, and those who weigh the short- and long-term ramifications of their decision ultimately will be able to make the right choice. Furthermore, you should consider the following factors as you try to resist the urge to overspend on a house: 1. Your monthly mortgage payments Although you may be able to handle a higher monthly mortgage payment in the short-term, you'll want to think about your long-term plans before you finalize your purchase. For example, do you plan to raise children? Or do you anticipate a career change over the next few years? You'll want to consider any plans that could impact your budget and determine whether you're ready to handle your monthly mortgage payments both now and in the future. 2. The quality of the home Although your dream home likely is of the highest quality, you'll want to ensure this residence won't require any immediate improvements. The quality of the home will dictate whether this residence will require substantial short- and long-term maintenance and repairs. And if you find there are many home improvement projects that may need to be completed soon, you may be better off considering other homes on the real estate market. 3. Your wants and needs Ideally, you'll want to find a home that fulfills all of your wants and needs instantly. But in today's highly competitive real estate market, only a fraction of houses may come close to meeting all of your demands. Differentiating between your wants and needs, however, is critical, as this will allow you to distinguish what you need to enjoy your home versus what you'd like your home to include in a dream scenario. For instance, your home needs electricity, running water and other everyday essentials. On the other hand, you may want a home with a pool, a spacious back yard and other distinct features, but you should not rule out homes due to the fact that they lack some of these non-essential amenities. Take a close look at your priorities and your budget, and you'll be able to make the right compromises to find a home that won't require you to break your budget altogether. Remember, your home is what you make it, and overspending to acquire a house may leave you satisfied in the short-term but struggling to pay your bills over an extended period of time. Make the right compromises as you explore the real estate market and set realistic expectations for the houses you check out. By doing so, you can improve your chances of finding a high-quality residence that meets your personal and budgetary needs.