Imagine finding the home you want, only to discover that you’ll need to pay more than your budget. Should you still go for it? To make that decision in the most informed way possible, here are a few important considerations:

Is your budget flexible? If your price range is etched in stone, then you may need to adjust your expectations of the kind of home you’ll be able to purchase. However, if you have some flexibility and can afford to pay a little more, buying the home you really want may be worth the stretch.

• How likely are you to find a similar home at a lower price? If the home is selling for a higher price than comparable listings in the area, it may be due to a unique feature or characteristic. That means that you might be able to get into a similar home in the neighborhood for a lower price.

Is this your dream home? If you love the home and everything about it, it might be worth spending a little more to get it. You don’t want to regret passing up on it, especially if you can afford to pay a little more. And, a similar “dream” home may not come up on the market anytime soon.

Here’s another way to look at it: If the home is perfect for you, focus on how you can get into it and not on why you should pass.