1. Get pre-qualified for your mortgage before you start looking for homes. This is important for several reasons, but mainly so that you start your search in a price range that you will be comfortable with. There is no sense in getting your hopes up for a property that you love but cannot afford. Another important reason for getting pre-qualified is that if you see a home that you love and would like to make an offer on, the seller is going to want to see a pre-approval letter to know that you are a serious buyer. The more uncertainty you can take from the seller, the more likely the seller will take a lower priced offer. The mortgage process takes about three weeks to complete from loan application to closing, so the sooner you start, the less stress you will have before closing. Also, if there are any problems or questions with your financing, you will have time to work out these problems.

2. Do your homework. It is easy to get excited and overlook important details. When buying a home most buyers consider taxes, schools, area market trends, entertainment, shopping, neighborhood amenities, and the proximity to work and to play. Location is one of the most important things to consider when buying a house. So, take the time to talk with someone who has lived in the area. This person might have helpful suggestions and could point you in the right direction.

3. Think about your exit strategy and the marketability of your new home. It is a good idea to be prepared for any situation that might come your way. Even if you plan on living in the house that you are buying for a long period of time, you still need an exit strategy. You want to make sure that if you did have to sell, the house you are purchasing would be appealing to other buyers. This will mean a quicker resale later and potentially more profit from the sale.

4. Find an experienced and professional agent who has your best interest in mind. You want an agent who shows you all of the listings with no preference to his or her own listings or listing company, responds quickly to your calls and emails, understands the buying and selling process from both the buyer's and seller's perspective, and possesses good business and negotiation skills. Most importantly, you need an agent that you trust!

5. Do not get into dual agency or let the builder's agent in new construction represent both you and the builder. Dual agency is when an agent represents both the seller and the buyer. This type of representation is common with new construction homes, where there are agents selling homes from a model home. In these cases, the agent selling the home will represent the builder and the buyer. This situation is a conflict of interest, because the builder has more clout with the agent than with the buyer. It is important that you find a good agent to represent you and only you. The best part about having your own agent is that you know you have equal representation.