1. Plan to Buy a Home in an Area You Intend to Stay.  Make
 sure you can commit to remaining in one place for at least a few
 years. When looking at areas of interest take into consideration
 your job and commute time, school district, distance from loved
 ones and any other factors that are important to you.

 2. Check Your Credit.  Since you are likely to need a mortgage to
 buy a house, make sure your credit history is as clean as possible.
 Ask for a copy of your credit report and correct any inaccuracies
 before you begin house hunting.

 3. Calculate your Finances.  Aim for a house you can afford. The
 rule of thumb is that you can pay for a house that is two-and-one-
 half times your annual salary.
 Getting pre-approved by a lender will ensure that you are looking at
 houses in the right price range.

 4. Hire a Professional.  You can use the internet to find real
 estate agents in your area.
 Also, it is best to ask for recommendations from people who have
 used agents when buying their home. Ask them what their
 experience was like and if they would use the same agent again.
 Interview several agents before determining the one you want to
 work with.

 5. Do your Homework.  When making an offer on a house, your
 opening bid should be based on the sales trend of other homes in
 the neighborhood. Use a Comparable Market Analysis of homes
 sold in the last three months. If homes are selling five percent
 below the asking price, then make your offer five to ten percent
 below the listing price.