Thinking of Buying Your First House? Before you begin your initial search for your dream home there are some things you should do first.... The first and most important thing to do is make sure you qualify for a loan or mortgage. Financing options can be extremely confusing. It's helpful to know some basic facts about mortgages when browsing homes for sale. Direct Lenders vs. Mortgage Brokers Direct lenders are in direct control of funds and the decisions regarding loans but offer only limited in-house