Buying a home represents the most significant financial decision most people will ever make during their lifetime.  From a person’s first home, which often establishes the foundation for future home purchases, to the purchase of the home where they’ll spend their senior years, there are definite pitfalls to avoid and suggested steps to take to assist one in making the right decisions.

 One of the first mistakes people make is not getting pre-approved or pre-qualified by a bank or lending institution.  Sellers and their agents are often skeptical of a prospective buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage loan when the buyer has not been pre-qualified.  When choosing between two comparable offers, or when contemplating countering a buyer’s offer, a seller will always look more favorably upon the pre-qualified buyer.

 Employing the services of a realtor makes great sense, since navigating through the home purchase process is both complex and fraught with financial dangers.  However, as the buyer, you should...