Buying a home is a complicated multi-step process. The worst thing that could happen after so much work is getting unpleasantly surprised when you move in. Taking preventative measures beforehand will help you avoid these unwanted revelations about the home.

Look at the Property in Person

According to Quicken Loans , looking at the property in person goes a long way in helping you reduce some of your questions. No matter how great the pictures, video, or 3D tour are, they can’t give you an accurate image of the particular home.

When you visit, pay attention to little things like the direction the home faces. If the home faces due east, you might run into problems with the light—it will be too strong and glaring at certain times of the day but really dark at others.

Get an Inspection

Getting an inspection of your home can help you have a better picture of the inner status of the home. As BTS Home Inspections points out, inspections can test for serious issues such as radon or mold. They can also help you identify flood damage or the possibility of flood damage in the future.

Being aware of existing issues and potential issues will help you not only know what you might be up against when it comes to potential work done on the home but it will also help you understand how the value of your home could change in the future.

Do Your Research

There are a variety of different kinds of surprises that you may be worried about when buying a home—how closing costs work, what a home’s neighborhood looks like, what the HOA is like. All of these things are valid concerns and you can typically find more helpful information when doing the right research.

Doing research will typically involve you doing your own Google searches about the process of buying a house or about the specific home you’re interested in. but you should also make sure to express your concerns or questions with your realtor because they can also help you find the answers you need.

As you prepare to buy a home, make sure you are thinking through your top priorities. Ultimately, no matter what efforts you make, it is still possible to run into some surprises when you move in. But if you have focused on your goals throughout the process, you will still likely feel happy about your ultimate decision.

Read this next: What Homeowners Should Do to Prepare for Pets