A home may represent the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime. It is one of life's most exciting experiences and one of the most challenging. As a result, there are many things you need to know before signing on the dotted line. Whether you're already a homeowner or a first-time buyer, preparation is the key. A detailed plan will help ensure you complete all the necessary steps in the complex process of buying a home. Plus, the more prepared you are at the outset, less time will be spent on stress, panic and uncertainty, and more on securing your piece of the American Dream of Homeownership.

Here's where the dream starts. Dream big! Let your REALTOR® know the type of home you want, what features you'd like your new home to have and where you want to live. For example, do you want a pool? Large eat-in-kitchen? Three bedrooms?

After your done dreaming, it's time to write down your thoughts. This is your "wish list." Once your wish list is complete, you and your REALTOR® should begin prioritizing the items. Which are most important and which are less necessary. Which features are absolutely essential to you, which are nice "extras" and which are completely undesirable? Some items most buyers consider when making up your wish list:

• Convenience for all family members.
• Quality of schools
• Amenities - golf, tennis, pool, clubhouse, ocean, etc.
• Types of homes in neighborhood and property values.
• Familial needs like large floor plans, play room for children, bedrooms on same floor, etc.
• Future construction
• Proximity to schools, employment, hospitals, shops, public transportation, cultural activities, highways, airports, the ocean, parks, stadiums, attractions, etc.

With this information readily available, your REALTOR® will recommend properties and neighborhoods that meet your wish list criteria .