For many, buying a house is one of the most financially significant purchases they will make.

Individual circumstances notwithstanding, becoming a homeowner can involve a lot of money upfront followed by years spent paying back the rest of the money required to attain the asset. Sure, there are folks out there who can purchase a house without taking on debt to do it, but that’s most certainly the exception, not the rule.

Finding a home can also be a time consuming process, frustrating process — especially when the market is hot.

I know this because it’s what we experienced while house hunting in spring 2021.

It’s been about seven months since we closed on and move into our house. And while buying one house in a hot market does not an expert make, I did learn a few things during the process which may (or may not) be useful to others who are in the process of house hunting.