We have bought 2 homes and sold 1.

Real Estate is also a hobby of mine I sold our home in 1 week, in a over saturated market during the "crash". So I did my homework. I even got full asking price and I set it on the high end.

That said, we also found our new home in one weekend. Looked online at countless homes. Toured about 15 in one weekend. Had a GREAT agent, which makes all the difference. Funny thing is, walked into this home and it just felt RIGHT from the get go. However, it is a house that I didn't like "online".

Online pics can be very deceiving, but they usually make something look better then it is, but sometimes its the other way around.

School District is important. Good that you looked into that. LOCATION is all important, that is something you cannot change like a coat of paint. Make sure you like where the house is located at.

Price. This is where your agent should be working her tail off right now. She needs to give you a few comparables in the area. Figure out the price per sqf for that area and type of house. This will help you greatly when you prepare to make an offer.

I have to say, KUDOS to the seller of this house. It is beautifully staged and clean and that can make all the difference in the world. You walk in and feel at home. But as a buyer, don't be to dazzled by that. Look beyond it. Check out the floors and whats beneath them. Check the appliances. Look in the attic if there is one. Check the electrical. Try to see beyond the "elegant and pretty" staging.

To me, the house looks light, airy and friendly. I like it. You can easily update the kitchen by getting new cabinet doors, would make it look much better. That is something you can do further down the road. Everything in the house can be made a bit more polished without breaking the bank, including the outdoor space. So there is great potential.

If you feel right in it, then move forward. You can look at 40 houses more, and just get frustrated. Accept help from family in friends in the decision making, but don't let them make your decisions for you, or ruin your excitement. You two will have to live in that house, not them.

So put your agent to work. Have her find out about the history of the house. Find the fair market value. Consider the market in the area, is it strong , weak? How long has the house been on the market ? All those things should be considered when going in with an offer. Start on the low end with an offer, but do not low ball or be insulting. Make SURE you make the offer contingent on a home inspection. If you don't low ball you can also ask for closing cost or half of them, will give you more room to negotiate.

All this is where a good agent is worth their money ! Make sure you feel comfortable with your agent and that she is doing all she can.

Be prepared that your first offer probably isn't going to be accepted but countered. Before you get into the excitement of offering and counter offering, set yourself a limit as to how high you will go and where it will end. This way you won't go higher in the heat of the moment and regret it later.

Home purchase is an exciting yet nerve wracking experience. You will get through it

Btw. the inspector will probably find a bunch of small things that need to be done. Be prepared to agree fixing those yourself, BUT if there are BIG issues, ask for them to be taken care off, or walk away. Keep your cool and have nerves of steel

Good luck