1.    When thinking about buying a house, buy one that is priced no more than 2.5 times your yearly salary. This is to help protect you from overextending yourself on your mortgage payments.

2.    Consider the school before buying even if you do not have children. A good school system will significantly increase the resale value.

3.    ALWAYS, ALWAYS hire a home inspector before purchasing a home. By hiring an inspector, they can point out potential problems. With this detection, it could be a factor in the price of the home.

4.    Get pre-approved before starting the home buying process. This will help when you put an offer on the home. The homeowners will see that you are serious about the home and not just be taking a gamble.

5.    Make sure you check out the neighborhood before buying the home. Go to the property during the morning, afternoon, and evening. It will give you a better idea of who lives in the neighborhood. Also, practice driving to and from work during your regular commute hours so that you can get a sense of the traffic pattern.