NAR handed consumers an interesting paper called: "10 Ways to Achieve Dream of Home Ownerships Come True"

So if you’ve been thinking about buying a home for awhile, have a look:

1/ Find a real estate professional who’s simpatico.  You must feel you can trust an agent to handle your transaction.

2/ Remember, there’s no "right" time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell.  Well, that one for me is debatable and I guess the reason why they say that is to NOW finally calm down the FUD (fear uncertainty and doubt game played by big headlines).  Frankly said, in its truest sense, it always is the right time to buy IF you find the right place.  But actually, the last few months were the right time to buy and I believe it still is.  More on that later as I will play Devil’s Advocate.

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.  Very true and by the time you hear of the changes, as in newspapers and specialized media, it’s already passed!  Remember, numbers are at the very least a month old and normally three months behind.

3/ Don’t ask for too many opinions.  If you want to drown in a sea of opinions, go ahead.  It will make you undecided.  Instead ask yourself these two questions.  Who will live in the house?  Do YOU like the house and picture yourself there?  Nick says: "Never let go of your own power which you lose when you ask for too much advice."

4/ Accept that no house is ever perfect.  That might seem like a no brainer as we understand this intellectually, our idealistic side wishes everything to be perfect.

5/ Don’t try to be a killer negotiator.  Ever want to kill a negotiation?  Come across as tough from the beginning.  Instead be reasonable yet stern.  That’s why you use us.

6/ Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

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.  Many sellers ask if the buyers are pre-approved.  It reassures everyone.

8/ Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget.

9/ Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.

10/ Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.  While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4% annually from 1998 to 2002 and on an average 3% since the mid-sixties, a home’s main role is as a place to live.  Words of wisdom!

Thank you Urban Trekker for spotting this out.