Whether you use an agent, or whether you begin your home search yourself, it's important to focus on the location and general quality of the property. Too many people start looking for houses at their maximum price range, or with specific features, and they ultimately end up wasting a great deal of time. Price can be worked out in negotiation with the seller (given the right general ballpark), and a good-quality home in a good location can be tailored to your specific needs later.

The first step is to make a list of your needs and wants, and also those things that you don't like. This will help you select an appropriate neighborhood and, together with a reasonable price range, will help you or your agent narrow the field of prospective properties.

If you can't afford the house you want in the neighborhood you want, sacrifice something in the house rather than the location. You can always improve the house later, or move up to a better house once you save more or build more equity, but you can't do much to improve the neighborhood.

If you visit an open house, they should provide you with an information sheet about the house. The most complete descriptions include such details as size of the lot and house, room measurements, property taxes, average monthly utility bills, and the ages of appliances and major mechanical systems, as well as the number of bedrooms and baths, and other basic data.

Sellers and their agents also are required by law to warn buyers of "material" defects in a property that would not be apparent during a routine inspection.

If this looks like a house you might want to consider, draw a rough floor plan on this first visit so that you are sure to remember the house hours or days later. Make sure you not the likes and dislikes of the house, especially if you are visiting multiple houses in one day, because it is easy to get confused about which house had what.

Obviously you'll get a professional inspection if you decide to buy the house, but there are some things you need to look at carefully while you visit the house to help you make decisions later:

• Look at the furnace, electrical box (fuses or circuit breakers) and appliances. Do they appear to be in good shape?
• Do the roof, gutters and exterior finish appear to be in good condition?
• If the floor plan doesn't suit you, can you think of ways you might be able to make it work, or even add on later (find out if it's permitted)?
• Does it appear that you will have to do work on the house as soon as you move in, and is that something you are willing to do (if the price is right)?

Continue by learning how to make an offer