It costs a lot of Money to move into a house and considering all the money you’ll need to put down in order to buy the house itself, tips for saving money in any way you can throughout this whole process may help.

People often don’t realize how much money they will likely spend during the home-buying process, so preparing ahead of time and educating yourself on the mistakes others make that leave holes in their wallets, you can find success and save serious cash. Learn about the following tips and tricks to save money when thinking of buying a home (and remember, it’s never too early to start preparing):

*Start planning (and saving) as soon as you can. The further in advance you begin saving money, the better off you’ll be. When paying for the down payment on your house, you will have more success and save more money in the long run if you put more money down upfront. You can put as little as 5 or 10 most of the time, but putting down 20 would keep you from having to pay for your PMI, or private mortgage insurance.

*Save as much money as you can. So, the down payment is made. You don’t have to worry about anything other than your mortgage now, right? Nope. Utilities and renovations sneak up on people, and so do repairs and other extra costs that are easy to forget about. When saving money well in advance, be sure to keep in mind that you will need to also save for these extra costs as well.

*Down payment assistance. There are many government programs that help people (who qualify) put a down payment on a house. Programs can help veterans through the Department of Veteran Affairs or someone who needs assistance under the Federal Housing Administration. Look up different programs and organizations that may be able to help you in your own individual situation.

*You can check to see if you are looking at a good mortgage price. Shop around for the best price. Don’t stop when you find just one good one—look at all the options that are out there and find the lowest mortgage for you that you can find.

*Find the best insurance deals, even if that means switching auto insurance providers or doing something of the like. Many companies offer bundles that will save you money when paying together (such as auto and home insurance).

*Be picky about your house. Don’t stop when you find a good house—keep going and find the BEST house for you. The more time you take picking out your house, thinking about your options and exploring what’s out there, the more satisfied you will be in the end. Don’t rush the process. Remember the following saying: good things come to those who wait.

*Bring backup when making your decision. If you think you found “the one” (house, that is), bring some trusted loved ones with you to help you assess the house and give their opinions. It’s easy to overlook the bad stuff when you found a house that meets your needs in every other way. Make sure it’s all worth it and that you’re really looking at the house how it is and not how your imagination has made it up to be. Getting others’ opinions, especially those of whom you trust, can be very valuable and end up saving you heartache, headache, and money in the end.

*If you are giving yourself a few years to start preparing, begin by helping others move (particularly friends, family members, and people you see on a regular basis). Then, when the time comes for you to move, you are likely to have others who will be willing to help, saving you money on movers.

*When the home inspector checks out the house and tells you everything is peachy, don’t take their word for it. Go through the house yourself and double check everything—even triple check if you have to. Make sure everything is how it’s described to be. You’ll be responsible for fixing anything wrong if you don’t catch it in time (and that’s if the problem is even fixable), so be observant and thorough.

*Don’t leave furniture for the last minute. People make this mistake and end up spending tons of money on pieces of furniture they barely even like. Budget well in advance and start seeking deals before you’re ready to move in. If you wait until the last minute, you are likely to pay full price for a couch and chair set that you are only okay with.

As you can see from the list above, there are actually plenty of ways to save money when you buy and move into a house. As long as you think ahead of time and give yourself plenty of time to budget, plan, and save, you will be sitting pretty when signing for that beautiful new home.