HOMES

hidden fees.

The findings suggest that some people are not doing enough research about mortgages, fees and other costs they may face when buying a home, Manni says. Not giving a bigger down payment. About 18 percent of home buyers wish they had made a bigger down payment, according to the 2013 survey from Trulia, the most recent survey on the topic. Although a smaller down payment can get home buyers into a house sooner, it may lead to higher costs in the long run.

Having a down payment of at least 20 percent can give you a better chance of snatching a home in a hot housing market, Staley says. The size of the down payment can also affect your interest rate and your monthly payment, Manni says.

Not saving enough — in

general. This extends beyond the down payment. Nine percent of homeowners said they did not feel as financially secure as they did before they made the purchase, according to NerdWallet.

Potential buyers should use online calculators to estimate what their monthly payments may be, depending on the size of their down payment and other factors, Staley says.