10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Home buying

1. Find a real estate professional who’s simpatico.  Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one.  It’s critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, anymore than there’s a right time to sell.  If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting.  Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask too many opinions.  It’s natural to want reassurance for suck a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.
4. Accept that no home is ever perfect.  Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator.  Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, buy trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you toe home you love.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.  Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself – room size, kitchen – that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc. that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.
7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving.  Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget.  Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.
9. Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.  Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.
10. Choose a home first because you love it, and then think about appreciation.  While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4% percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.