10 things you should know when buying your home. -Check your credit score early – the higher it is, the better your mortgage options. - Save for a solid down payment – even a small extra percentage can reduce monthly payments. - Know your budget – include taxes, insurance, and maintenance, not just the loan. - Use tools like Fincast – upload your Loan Estimate and lenders compete to offer better rates and terms, without new credit pulls or extra applications. - Read the fine print – prepayment p