There are many benefits to buying a home instead of renting one – appreciation of the property, pride of ownership, mortgage reductions, etc. You’re probably already shopping for a your own house because you’ve figured out the reasons why you want to own one. Now all you have to do is remain focused and determined to find the house that’s just right for you or your family.

Most searches for homes begin by checking out listings on Internet, looking at pictures or going through virtual tours. If you still can’t find what you want, ask your friends to recommend a good real estate agent to you, one who will listen to your needs and only show you homes that will suit those needs.

When looking at a house, bring a digital camera and take pictures of the exterior and every single room. Note down all the interesting features and elements of the house’s construction and design, and pay attention to the location and its surroundings. After leaving each house, rate it from a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest. You’ll immediately know which among the houses you’ve seen deserve a second look. Once you do look at them a second time, you’ll notice different things that you didn’t see the first time around.

Remember that all real estate agents are required to point out defects in the home and should help you, the buyer, find EXACTLY what you’re looking for.