Selecting the right mortgage package as a first time home buyer can be a confusing process, and working with a mortgage loan officer isn't always the best way to get the mortgage loan that you can afford. One of the biggest mistakes that first time is to sign on the loan that they qualify for, instead of taking a smaller loan that they can actually afford.

How does this happen? Loan officers will qualify you for a loan based on your income ratio and not necessarily how much you're prepaid to pay in housing payments each month. If you borrow the entire loan amount that you "qualify" for, it's likely that your monthly payment will be pushing your monthly budget to the max.

Setting your own limits for the loan will help you resist the temptation to just borrow up to the limit that your loan officers offer s and help you stay within a comfortable housing expense range based on your income level. Here are some more tips for selecting the mortgage for your new home purchase:

1. Consider the tax benefits. Some mortgages are 'interest only' loans which means you can deduct the entire payment on your taxes for that year. However, loans that are designed with a negative amortization scale won't allow you to deduct interest from your monthly payment.

2. Plan intelligently. A fixed interest rate loan is a good choice especially if you intend to stay in your home for 30 years and more. Compared to ARM loans and other loan products, FIR loan can help you withstand changing market conditions, although it may be a higher in interest. A fixed interest loan can also have its disadvantages. The author of 'Smart Consumer's Guide to Home Buying', Barron, suggests that fixed interest loan may increase your loans because of the demands of ecrow account associated with it.

3. Inquire about flexible payment options. Some home mortgage loans allow you to make extra payments towards the principal balance without paying a penalty, which means you can start paying down your mortgage when you have extra funds at your disposal. Find out if your loan products offer this type of flexibility so you can start paying down and be free of debt sooner than later.

4. Find ways to keep your payments manageable. Keep your payments affordable by setting a limit on your loan amount even if you have been offered a huge amount by the lender. As much as possible, find a low interest rate, long loan term, and the ability to make interest-only payments.

5. Apply for mortgage insurance. Most first time home buyers do not have a lot of money available for the down payment, which can make a big difference to the loan amount and monthly payments. Mortgage insurance can provide for your down payment, or in some cases, allow you to apply for an attractive loan product without having to make any type of down payment.

Alexandria P. Anderson is a licensed Minnesota Realtor that uses the MN MLS Listings to help her clients to find and purchase Minnesota Land for Sale.