Omniseek: Real estate: Getting prepared to buy

Few milestones rival that of buying a home. Of course, along with the joy comes a period of hard work and concentrated research. Know your stuff, then get out there and enjoy looking for your dream home. One way is to review online real estate listings that meet your criteria. If you decide to work with an agent, have him or her show you four or five houses that piqued your interest (looking at more than five houses at one time is likely to leave you more confused than enlightened). Be candid with your agent about what you like and dislike in the houses you see. The more you communicate with your agent, the easier it will be to find a house. Open houses can be very important. Touring a number of houses in a short period of time is the best way to learn market value and to educate yourself about what is available. But if you limit your home search to only those homes, you may miss out on a house that is right for you. How long does it take to buy a house?