This information is provided to help your property buying experience anywhere.

It is for use whether or not you are working with a real estate professional and designed to save you time, money, and stress.

Finding a good home for your family is no easy job. It sure helps to be able to rely upon the expertise of qualified unbiased professionals.

1. Examine your motivation to buy.

2. Do as much groundwork and investigation of the property as possible yourself.

3. Trust your own opinions and feelings about the buying process, the property, and the people you are working with.

4. Seek counsel from qualified real estate professionals (lawyers, realtors, real estate appraisers) and inspectors or enginneers (particularly if you see anything out of the ordinary); evaluate advice carefully. Take any opinion with a grain of salt; everyone has his or her own agenda. Be especially wary of anyone who has something to gain from the transaction or who was reccomended by someone with something to gain. Remember the real estate broker is typically hired and paid by the seller. They only get paid if the transaction closes. Lawyers and appraisers recommended by the broker, seller or sellers attorney may not always act in your best interest. It is always preferential to hire lawyers, appraisers and inspectors/engineers who have no ties to the seller or broker.

When in doubt of real market value consult an independent fee appraiser. An appraisal fee is a small price to pay for the piece of mind it provides. A highly seasoned independent professional real estate appraiser is always your best bet.

5. Explore the possibility of seller financing; it could possibly save you a bundle. Shop for rates.

6. Think of the long term, short term, big and little "picture."

7. Visualize failure for worst-case-scenario exploration, then create your success.

8. Talk to the neighbors, take your time, work with people around whom you're comfortable.

9. Have fun.

10. Expect the unexpected.

11. Consider (your) resources, population growth, local, regional, and global trends.

12. Be prepared to take risks, but don't pay more than you can afford.

13. Remember: you are only in control of yourself. There are many conditions and circumstances in the buying process completely out of your control; accept these and sleep better.

14. Create and maintain goodwill.

15. Ask lots of questions.

16. Choose your service providers carefully.

17. Find all the boundaries of your property, crawl around under the house, move stuff away from the walls, notice details; open every door, window, cupboard, attic, cabinet and look inside carefully. Turn on every switch, check every electrical outlet. It is a good idea to use a comprehensive checklist Click here for our detailed home inspection checklist. If you see anything unusual, It would probably be a good idea to engage the services of a qualied home inspector or engineer. If the home has an oil or gas burner, be sure to have your fuel providor inspect it prior to closing for service contract eligibility.

18. Specify in writing exactly what personal property is included with your purchase and make sure that it's there and in the same condition as it was when you agreed to purchase, before you close your transaction.

19. Encourage the seller or an agent to purchase a home warranty for you; it will save everybody involved in the sale much worry.

20. Examine all documents very carefully and be sure that language cannot be interpreted to your disadvantage. When in doubt, hire a competent local unbiased lawyer who specializes in real estate.

21. Do what you agree to do; act according to the terms of your contract.

22. Stay on the ball; remember your goals.

23. Be prepared to walk away from any transaction and move on to the next (and possibly better) opportunity.

23. Avoid hostility. There is absolutely no reason for you or anyone to accept rudeness or abuse. You want to do business in a positive environment; negative and hostile clients are often litigious (meaning they will sue you if they can) and will bring you more grief than anyone deserves.

24. Ask for references.

25. Work to obtain and bind insurance coverage on your prospective purchase as soon as possible.

26. Be patient - and firm.

27. Celebrate your successes!

28. When you buy a property that has tenants that need to move out before you move in, make sure that your contract calls for the tenants' possession of the property to be terminated before the seller gets paid and your transaction closes.