Top things to know

1. Get professional agent help. 

2. Don't buy if you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years.For example there are the transaction costs of buying and selling a home. 

3.You must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. 

4. Aim for a home you can really afford like that runs about three to four times your annual salary. 

5. Don't worry if you can't put down the usual 20 percent. Some lenders who require a down payment as small as 3 percent of the purchase price. 

6. Buy in a district with good schools. We say it as" LOCATION, LOCATOION AND LOCAATION!!!"

7. Choose carefully between points and rate. 

8. Before house hunting, get pre-qualifIed. Get pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history. 

9. Do your homework first. Your buying should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. Consider sales of similar homes in the last several months.

10. Let the professionals point out potential problems that could require costly repairs and whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay.