Whether you're a first-time buyer or an old pro at the real estate game, buying a home can be a daunting process. It's an emotional time filled with difficult choices - and each decision you make has money riding on it. Finding the right home to meet your family's needs is hard enough. But knowing how to avoid paying too much for that home once you've found it is another job entirely. As someone who has helped countless buyers find their dream homes and save money at the same time, I've developed this guide to help you avoid the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. I'll show you not only how to make sure you've found the right home, but also how to negotiate a price to your advantage. In today's complex, fast-paced market, you can't afford to learn these lessons through trial and error. The tips contained in this report will go a long way toward making you a savvy buyer.

TIP NO. 1

Know what you're shopping for before you start. Before you begin shopping, understand that there are two homes out there vying for your interest - the one that meets your needs vs. the one that fulfills your desires.

TIP NO. 2

Shop for a mortgage before you shop for a home. Getting a loan preapproval is the smart way to shop for a home. It tells sellers that you're a serious prospect, and you know in advance the maximum mortgage you can afford. Make sure you get a commitment in writing. I've seen many buyers make the mistake of learning what they qualify for but not getting that preapproval in writing.

TIP NO. 3

Pick a winning team to help you. From picking a mortgage to finding the right home to inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be exhausting for even the hardiest souls. A good agent has the knowledge and experience that come from years of helping both buyers and sellers.

TIP NO. 4

Make sure your Realtor knows what you are looking for. Once you have a clear, detailed picture of the home you want, make sure your agent has the same picture. This communication is critical, otherwise you'll both waste your time looking at homes you're not really interested in.

TIP NO. 5

It's a cliche, but...location, location, location. The desirability and resale value of your home-to-be depend on location more than any other single factor. Again, don't let emotion get in the way of your wise investment. No home is an island, and the value of yours is affected by the homes that surround it.

TIP NO. 6

Use your agent to narrow the prospect list. A good agent brings to the table in-depth knowledge of the current housing market in his or her area, and continually updates that knowledge by touring homes as they are placed on the market. This is to your advantage. Trying to personally see every available home that might fit your needs would be an overwhelming process. I will save you much time and energy.

TIP NO. 7

Show a little interest in everything you see. As you tour the homes on your "short list," find something to admire in each one. If you don't show any interest until you've finally fallen in love with a home, then you've just put yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Never let anyone know how badly you want a home - it will cost you money!

TIP NO. 8

Don't forget the purpose of your "Needs" and "Desires" list. Shopping for a home is an emotional process. Your heart will cost you money; using your head will save it.

TIP NO. 9

Don't ignore red flags when evaluating a home's pluses and minuses. When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems. Some issues are cosmetic and can be easily remedied. In fact, you can use these "problems" during negotiations to lower the asking price. Other problems may be warnings to walk away. Major foundation cracks, evidence of previous water damage, antiquated electrical systems or plumbing may be cause to reconsider.

TIP NO. 10

In my exerperience, spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection is the best investment you'll ever make. And a written report can be an excellent negotiating tool. Make sure you accompany your inspector on the tour. As you can imagine, there is no learning curve that forgives mistakes made during the home-buying process. If I had to choose only one tip from the several I just listed, it would be this: Get yourself a good Realtor --someone whose sole interest in the deal is to watch out for YOUR interests. If you take this advice the rest will follow. Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home seller.

Bob Graeve, P.A., CRS
Realtor for the Palm Beaches