Are you a first time home buyer? With so many choices to make and so much at stake, it’s essential that you prepare. For advice, check out the First Time Home Buyer Guide from realtor.com® to learn the 10 steps to purchasing your first home without a hitch.

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Have a long talk with your agent

Here’s something to consider: Only you will know which home is just right for you; but, a great agent will have a better handle on the local market. Not only is your agent keeping a constant eye out for newly listed homes you might love, but he/she can also quickly go through your wish list and help you understand what is (and what isn’t) realistic.

So be sure to tell your agent not only what you’re looking for, but why you’re moving, too.  The more your agent can understand you and your needs to better in synch they will be with your wants and needs.

Are you downsizing or perhaps you are moving closer to work? Accommodating a growing family?  The reason it all matters: A savvy Realtor will point out things you might not have considered—such as the importance of a one-story home if you’re near retirement and planning to stick around for the long haul.

Don’t worry about timing

Patience can be difficult. You want your new home right away. Waiting for something to fall into place can feel like endless purgatory. But that doesn’t mean you should rush the hunt.

“I’ve had clients who spend years in house-hunting mode,” says Gretchen Koitz, a Realtor with The Koitz Group in Bethesda, MD. Not that this is necessarily a good thing either.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with finding a great home right away. But it’s best not to prioritize timing above all else unless it’s absolutely necessary. Koitz says the idea of purchasing one of the first homes they see can be “very unsettling” for buyers. “They somehow think they’re not doing their due diligence if they don’t look for a predetermined amount of time,” she says. “Since we never know what’s coming on the market, we also never know when ‘your’ house will show up.”

See beyond the decor

Most people are not very good decorators, so it’s ok to be turned off by an ugly home. But you shouldn’t let stylistic choices of another affect your judgment of what a home could be. As Koitz puts it, “‘I hate the red paint in the dining room’ is not a valid concern.” Look beyond those garish drapes to the bones beneath. Is the picture window hidden behind them stunning? Is the hardwood floor good quality, despite the stained rugs layered on top? Think of the long term. Remember, the current owners’ raggedy stuff will leave with them.

Bring a camera

When you’re our home shopping, remembering which one had the dark flooring and which one had the bright pink bedroom can get more confusing than you might think. Even after looking at 5 homes, recalling exactly what bothered you so much about the bathroom of one home requires an impeccable memory and keen attention to detail. A great way to counter that is by snapping a few pics of every room you see. If you want to go above and beyond, consider categorizing them on a computer by house and room.

Tune in to your emotions

Not to get too woo-woo spiritual about it, but house hunting isn’t just about what you see. It’s also about how you feel.

“A big part of home buying is pure emotion,” says Koitz. And this swirl of feelings may surprise you, drawing you toward homes you never thought you’d love and away from ones that hit every box on your checklist.

“Agents have a secret saying, which is that ‘Buyers are liars,’ says Koitz. “We don’t mean that buyers really mean to lie, but that what they think they want in a home often goes out the window when emotion kicks in.”

Don’t forget your must-have list, but don’t feel bad about skipping something you thought you wanted. A wonderful house without a his-and-her bathroom is still a wonderful house—you just might have to shuffle your expectations.

“It’s important for buyers to keep in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect house,” Dart says. “At the end of the day, you’ll find some place that hits the high notes and that includes the things that were most important to you.”

Found a home that feels just right? Next comes the essential art of making an offer that will be accepted.

A Few Ways to Know You Found the Right House

1) You Want to Go Inside the House

Part of the excitement of looking at homes is not knowing which could be your new home when you pull up to the curb. Is it the one on the left, or does the house on the right strike your fancy? If it is the house on the right, and you like it better than the house on the left, that could be a sign. It means there is something about this house that appeals to you. Curb appeal is talking.

2) The House Welcomes You the Moment You Enter

Within a few seconds of entering the house, you will know whether it feels warm and comforting. Does it seem to speak to you? Does the house invite you to explore? Does it feel, well . . . right? Like home? Then it probably is.

3) You Start to Picture Furniture Arrangements

If you walk into the master bedroom and immediately can envision your bed against a particular wall, this might be your house. If you find yourself thinking that the living room window is a perfect spot to put a tree come Christmas, you’re already hooked.

4) You Can See Yourself Painting a Wall Your Favorite Color

Perhaps deep purple is not your favorite color. Maybe it’s blue. Maybe you’re thinking those purple walls in the kid’s room would look better in a pale blue jean color. In fact, you might even know the name of the paint color you plan to use because you’ve been thumbing through Pottery Barn catalogs and this home looks just like those.

5) You Want to Stop Looking at Other Homes

All of the other homes you’ve been looking at no longer appeal to you. The homes on that list you’ve been carrying around seem insignificant. Moreover, the homes you had previously rated a #8 have now fallen to a #2 rating. The homes you have seen pale in comparison. You would feel like a traitor to this home if you went to visit other homes. This is it. I’m telling you.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport Bossier City area.  Connect With Me