After you have driven around various neighborhoods, you can begin to narrow your selection to the three or four best prospects. On a weekend, go back to these neighborhoods, walk the streets and talk to anyone who is outside. Find out how the owners feel and think about their neighborhood and whether there are any problems they know of. Remember that you will want to buy in the best neighborhood that you can afford, one that fits the real estate needs of you and your family.

As the saying goes, there are three things you need to look for in a home - location, location and location. Location is a critical element in searching for a home; however, you also need to keep the following in mind:

• Look for a home that you can afford that fits your basic needs and - if you have children - has high-quality neighborhood schools.

• Look for the "growth" area in your city.

• Check out the crime rate in the neighborhoods that interest you. Even expensive neighborhoods may have a high crime rate.

• Consider how your commute time will affect your family and lifestyle.

• Look at a potential home from the point of view of resale. If you buy an unusual home it may be difficult to sell.

• Check whether the home has the appropriate permits for any additions or changes that may have been made. Without the right permits, you may incur additional liabilities and resale problems.

• What are the market conditions? Is there a shortage of housing inventory or a surplus? If you are aware of the market conditions when you look for a house, you will know how much time you can take to make the decision to buy.

• Megan's Law allows you to check with the local police for the presence of convicted sexual felons in the area.

You are now an educated buyer and have determined how much you can afford. You have also narrowed down your search by doing your research on neighborhoods and selecting the best that you can afford. It is time to actually start looking for that specific home. You will need to create a list of all of your wants and needs, separating your most important needs from those items that you would like, and noting things that you want to avoid. Here are some ideas for creating your list:

• What is the minimum number of bedrooms you need? Will three be enough, or do you need four? Try to avoid two-bedroom homes - unless that is exactly what you are looking for - since they can be difficult to sell.

• What is your minimum number of bathrooms? Homes with one bathroom are less desirable and can be difficult to sell.

• Do you desire a single-story home or would you live in a two-story home?

• Does the home need to be in pristine condition or will a fixer-upper do? Will you only buy a new home?

• Do you need a two-car or a three-car garage?

• In which school district should your children's school be located?

• What other rooms are important to have in your home? Would it be nice to have a family room, den, sewing room or library?

• Is it necessary to have the laundry facilities inside the home?

• What style of home are you looking to buy?

• Do you want the home to be bright and cheery?

• Should you be looking for a home with northern, western, eastern or southern exposure?

• If you want a fireplace, what type of fireplace do you want?

As vital as this list of your basic needs and wishes is, it is also important to make a list of the features that you do not want to have in your home. You might include some of the following items on this list:

• Small bedrooms

• Dark house

• Tiny yard

• Too far to work

• Lack of cupboard space

• Busy street

• Corner lot on busy streets

• Overbuilt home

• Street with no trees

• Too many children in the neighborhood

• Unique home

When you look at homes, you should have your lists with you so you can compare different homes without having to try to remember all the items on these lists. This will save you time when you are trying to remember the attributes and drawbacks of the homes that you viewed. When you find the right home, be prepared to take action and make an offer to the seller.