Spring has sprung and so has your dreams of owning your own home. Before you start scrolling through Zillow, get your finances in order and be prepared to make an offer with confidence by following our 5 Home Buying Prep Tips.

The stars have aligned and finally, instead of just watching those house hunting shows, it’s your turn to being the search for your first home.

There’s a lot more to homeownership than paying the mortgage loan.

1. What’s the First Step of the Home Buying Process?

The Answer: The mortgage pre-approval

Look at you! You’ve packed your bags, said goodbye to your one bedroom apartment and are about to move into your brand spanking new home! Your new life and story begin today! So understandably you’re a tad surprised when you come to find you’ll be bunking with a family of termites…

When it comes to purchasing a home, people have many misconceptions, says Craig Garcia, president of Capital Partners Mortgage.

"The homebuying process is harder than you think," says Garcia, who is based in Florida. "But the more prepared you can be, the better experience you will have."