Choosing your real estate professional is, perhaps, the most important decision you will make when buying property. I believe the more you look around, the more you will see that experience is extremely important in getting you the best price for your new home.

However, no matter whom you choose, these simple tips will help you find and purchase the home of your dreams more quickly and efficiently. If you're a first-time buyer you can find more information here.

Before you shop:

Be a smart consumer. Learn the financing basics. Know how to shop for a home loan that's right for you.  I have lenders that I work with on a regular basis, that can quickly and easily tell you how much home you can afford.

Get pre-approved. This takes very little time, and can make the difference in a wonderful buying experience or a very disappointing one.

Know what you want. The last thing you need is to close a deal and realize you bought a house you don't want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time, and necessary repairs.

Keep your debt load to a minimum. Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and don't apply for new ones. Remember, financial institutions evaluate your financial situation on your gross monthly income. Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.

Be prepared to view new properties quickly. Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.

Have instant access to your agent. Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice.

Before you buy:

Submit a strong competitive offer.

Include a substantial earnest money deposit. Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit. Earnest money is applied towards the purchase price or down payment and a good rule of thumb is 1% - so if you are purchasing a home that is priced at $250,000, your earnest money should be at least $2,500. 

Try to minimize the number of contingencies. Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer.  Contingencies are things like a home you need to sell prior to purchasing a new one, or a job that you are waiting to see if you have gotten.  Most sellers do not want to pull their home off the market for someone who has contingencies in their offer. 

Hire an inspector. A professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.  Appraisals cost between $250 and $500, but could be more than worth it if they uncover problems that were not apparent to you.

Check zoning regulations and covenants. Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.

Request an updated property survey. If the home you are purchasing is in a platted subdivision, most likely there will be no problems.  If you are purchasing a more rural or country property, survey equipment has changes over the years and become much more sophisticated.  The boundaries of the property may be different than even the current owners thought.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract should be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale. Make sure you document everything you are asking for, don't just assume that because it said it in the MLS, the owner agreed to leave it.

Get agreements in writing. Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later.   A verbal contract is unenforceable.