When you start shopping for your first home, you may realize, early on, that to find one within your budget, you have to sacrifice a little. That's totally normal and okay. It's why your first home is called a "starter home." There will be time to upgrade later. At the same time, you don't want to become so flexible that you let everything go and end up buying a home that doesn't suit your needs. Here are some key things you should absolutely look for in a starter home, even if your budget is a bit tight. 

Convenient Location

You may have to move a few minutes further from work to find a home within your budget. But there is a line here. You don't want a home that's in a really inconvenient location. Spend some time sitting down with your real estate agent and looking at a map. Note all of the neighborhoods that are within a reasonable driving distance of your job. What's a reasonable distance? Well, that's for you to decide. For some people, it's 10 minutes. For others, it's 30 minutes.

Once you have a list of neighborhoods within the right range, rank them in terms of affordability. Then, you're ready to start shopping in the neighborhoods at the top of your "most affordable" list.

Storage Space

If you're moving out of an apartment or your parent's house, you may not have that many things right now. But you will gain items quickly, especially if you have a housewarming party or two. So, you need to make sure the home you buy has lots of storage space. You may not need a basement, a garage, and a finished attic, but at least one out of these three is wise. Big closets are convenient, too, and they're not that hard to come by.

A Solid Foundation

You can replace windows and carpet, paint walls, and even replace the HVAC system if needed. But as a first-time homeowner, you do not want to deal with foundation issues. They are expensive to repair, and the work has to be done by a professional. So, you should always hire an inspector to look over a home before you buy, and you should walk away from any home if there are concerns about the foundation.

If you find a home in a good location, with lots of storage, and with a solid foundation, then the rest is really a matter of taste. Contact a real estate agent to learn more about homes for sale near you.