1. Describe what you want.
First, sit down and get comfortable.  Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your future home. What do you see around you?  Tell me what you like in a home.  What is your lifestyle?  Are you single, a small family or a growing famitl?  Newly married or an empty nester?  Tell me about your life.  My first job is to listen.

2. Select the right location.
Let’s face it, location matters.  Schools, commute time, proximity to shopping and future appreciation are all factors in making a smart decision.  Some will be more important, some less. 

3. Get Pre-Qualified
It’s sad, but true.  You can’t buy a home without money.  Most people get a little squeamish when discussing loans.  Everyone’s heard a horror story.  Fortunately, I am both a loan officer and a Realtor.  Unlike other loan officers, I make most of my income from the purchase of your home.  I do not have to play games with your interest rate.  You’ll get a fair market rate and very low fees.  I’d rather play games like Monopoly instead of games like Loan Shark.  Pre-qualification is very quick.  I’ll ask you a few questions about your income and savings and

4. Go Shopping
This is the fun part!  After each home viewing, ask your Realtor to give you a copy of the home's “rap sheet”.  If your Realtor doesn't use rap sheets, then you can use any piece of paper as long as you write the home's address on it.  On the rap sheet, note your impressions of the house.  What's good and what's bad.  Later, when you go home and mull over the day's events.  These notes will be helpful to you.

5. Make an Offer
This part can be fun and it can also be a little stressful.  But remember, this is where your Realtor will shine.  Give her room to do her thing.  Challenge your Realtor with questions and make your opinions heard.  But then step back and let your Realtor work for you.

6. Close and Move In
This is the best part of all!  At the closing table, if you are using a loan, you will be signing lots of papers.  At the end, you'll turn over a check and you'll receive the key to your new abode.  Congrats!  You've just bought a house!