BEFORE you start searching for that dream house it's a good idea to have the finance approved.

BEFORE you start searching for that dream house it's a good idea to have the finance approved.

Doing this upfront will give you a good idea of what price range you can afford. You should also keep in mind the additional, continuing costs you will have to cope with when you own a home - such as rates, insurance and so on.

The first step will be to calculate how much money you have for the deposit.

Banks and other financial institutions will require a cash deposit of between 10 and 20 percent of the value of the property.

Again, before you start house-hunting do your homework. Think about what you need - as opposed to what you want - in your home.

Is a small home or apartment situated closer to work preferable to a larger home further away from work but in a good area?

Consider how many rooms you need and whether proximity to community facilities and transport is important .

Next, talk to a reputable real estate agent. Look at newspapers and surf the Internet to get an idea of prices and what is available.

Take notes about the homes you like since it is often difficult to remember details later.