Owning a home is something that gives you a certain pride and status that few other things can offer. But, as I recently discovered, acquiring that feeling can be a bit confusing. When I first set out to buy a home, I had not considered all of the aspects involved in the process. For example, you have to define a budget, find an agent, get a loan, consider the builder, read and sign a lot of paperwork, insurance, repairs and maintenance, just to name a few. So, I did some research and have come up with some things that you definitely have to keep in mind.

First, you have to find the right real estate agent, or realtor, for you. You need an agent with whom you get along well. You will be dealing with this person for a while and you need a certain compatibility with and trust in them. One thing you need to be aware of when choosing an agent is the type of realtors available. Those who work for builders may often have the interests of the builder in front of yours.  Also, be wary of signing any agreements with your realtor before you decide on a house. Buyer Broker Agreements or Exclusive Sale Agreement give the realtor a way to wriggle out of face-to-face meetings and travel from house to house. These things are key when choosing a home.  The best way of communication with your agent is through e-mail. This gives you a chance to clearly communicate your thoughts and needs to your realtor. It also allows you to keep an accurate record for future use.

Quality is key. There are several easy ways to compare the quality of the homes you are interested in buying. A plastic level, found at ay number of stores, is a good home-buying tool, as is a camera. These help you to compare similar aspects of the houses both structurally and visually. Making notes on the houses you visit is also a good idea.

Once you have selected the house that you think you want to buy, take a deep breath and review. This is one of the largest investments which you will make, so take a little time to make sure that all of your needs and wants have been met to your satisfaction.

First, pick two or three real estate books and look through them. This ensures that there are no houses or subdivisions that you might be interested in seeing that you have not explored.

Second, you want to investigate the person who built the house. Check their warranty and that of their sub-contractors. Also, it is a good idea to use local builders. They generally know the area better and can accommodate their products to fit that area’s needs.  Local builders can also give that personal touch to business that is often lacking in someone from a big, out of town organization.

Third, investigate the sub-contractors. The builder has hired someone to do the actual building. You want to make sure that the sub-contractors are licensed and insured. Make sure that they will be around if the builder will not and get a list of as many as you can.

Next, remember that you get what you pay for. If you look at five similar houses and one is considerably cheaper, there is a reason. Shingles, wood and wire will cost a builder about the same, so the first place that he will cut cost is labor. Make sure that his cost cuts will not cost you money in the long run.

When you get to the closing table, make sure that there are no liens on the property. If there are, you can, and probably should, walk away from the deal then and there.

After the sale has been completed, protect yourself. E-mail your punch list to the builder yourself. You should not, however, send him one on a daily basis, as this runs the serious risk of souring your relationship. Wait about two weeks to a month on your first list. Send him another one at six months and another at eleven months. Keep all of your correspondence on file. It will help your relationship with your builder, thus possibly hastening the response, if you tell him what you love about your house along with what needs to be fixed. Keeping your realtor in the loop about the progress of your home is a good way to ensure some expertise in the matter.