Buying a home is the single most important decision that anyone can make - next to deciding upon whom to spend the rest of their life with. The most important advice that anyone can provide a first-time home buyer is to slow down and take your time. Don't rush into anything.

The second most important thing is to select a solid team of professional advisors to assist you. At a minimum, you should look for a real estate agent to work with that is trustworthy and who is willing to spend the time necessary to get it right. You want a real estate agent willing to educate you on the process and who is willing to really listen to you and help you find the home that is right for you.

Next, you should also look for a mortgage loan officer or broker that will help get the type of financing that is best for your circumstances. You want a someone that can explain the various types of mortgage products out there and who will give you advice on the type that best fits your financial situation. Keep in mind, often times the riskiest product types pay the most commission to loan officers or brokers. So, find someone who does not get paid a commission or who is willing to steer you to the best terms.

Lastly, get an attorney involved. Most real estate agents will tell home buyers that they don't need an attorney. The truth of the matter is that the buying a home is the largest financial decision most people make, yet they refuse to pay a small fee for legal advice. Real estate agents are not qualified to draft contract contingencies and provisions to protect buyers. Yet, most do it and most do it poorly. The trouble is if the purchase contract or the closing documents are not prepared correctly, it is very expensive to correct. And sometimes, no amount of money can fix the problem. So, at the very least, hire an attorney to review your contract offer before you send it to the seller and to spend a few minutes making sure you are well protected.

Above all else, don't let the complexity of the process or uncertainties you might have stop you from buying your own home. You just have to ask lots of questions and ask the same question to different people to ensure that you really are getting the best answers.

Happy House Hunting!