Make sure you are ready financially. Ask yourself the following questions: Do I have steady income? Are my total monthly bills lower than my total income? Do I have enough money to pay for the down payment and closing costs? Is my credit score high enough to qualify for a suitable loan? Typically a house also needs general maintenance and attention. Make sure your budget will allow for these expenditures. Once you can honestly answer "yes" to these questions, you are ready to become a homeowner.

Be clear and honest about your motives and expectations for buying: Is it for rental purposes, relocation or resale? Make a list of the “Must have” house features. Choose a reputable real estate agent and office. Make sure you are pre-approved by a reputable mortgage professional before looking at property

Location, Location, Location: The age old mantra rings as true as ever. It's important to research the area thoroughly before buying and consider what the future might bring. An experienced Realtor will be able to answer all your questions and provide you with any additional information you may need.

Take your time shopping for a property, But Don’t Wait Too Long. The National Association of REALTORS reports that, on average, homes stay on the market for 7.5 months. The current increased inventory gives homebuyers a great opportunity to compare homes that meet their interests. However, this does not mean that homebuyers should procrastinate. If you find a house you love, put in your offer and negotiate. Chances are if you love the home then another buyer probably will too. Don’t provide an opportunity for another buyer to purchase the property you are interested in.

Once you have negotiated your best price make sure you have all necessary property inspections. Your Realtor should be able to provide a qualified list of inspectors to provide this service.

Closing the transaction. …Once you and the seller have agreed to the deal, then there will be plenty of administrative tasks (paperwork) to be done in order to finalize the transaction. A qualified professional Realtor will be able to assist you from start to finish. Please follow the guidance of your Realtor and your lender, their job is to get the transaction closed with the least amount of difficulty. Don’t forget to call the utility companies to establish your new service location.