10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying:

1.  Find a Real Estate professional who is simpatico.  Homebuying is not only a big financial committment, but also an emotional one.  It's critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2.  Rember, there is no "right" time to buy, any more than there is a "right" time to sell.  If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting.  Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long.

3.  Don't ask for too many opinions.  It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, bu too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4.  Accept that no house is perfect.  Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5.  Don't try to be a killer negotiator.  Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6.  Rember your home does not exist in a vacuum.  Do not get caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself - room size, kitchen, - that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc.  that have a big impact on what it's like to live in your new home.

7.  Do not wait until you've found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigage insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving.  Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8.  Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget.  Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs.  Do not leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9.  Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.  Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big committment, but it also yields big benefits.

10.  Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.  While U.S. homes have appreciated on average 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home's most important role is a comfortable, safe place to live.

Reprinted from REALTOR(r) Magazine Online - National Association of Realtors