Choosing and buying a home is a life-changing decision that will make a huge impact on your life. This decision demands careful thinking over home style, financing, and neighborhood options, among others.

Here are 10 tips and five common mistakes to avoid to help guide you in your first home-buying experience

1. Be picky, but don't be unrealistic. There is no perfect home. The right home for you is a trade-off between your needs and wants and how much you can afford to pay for the home.

2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you. Check out the neighborhoods, look at property types, and check available Homes for Sale.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and your closing costs.

4. Don't wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you start looking.

5. Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.

6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?

7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that suit you best.

8. Don't let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you'll have no money left for maintenance or decoration, or to save money for other financial goals.

9. Don't be naive. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.

10. Get help. Hire a Texas REALTOR as a buyer's representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer's representative is working only for you.