Buying a house is everyone’s dream. But not all of them are able to convert that dream into a reality. So whenever you do want to buy your own home, don’t rush into things. There is a long list of dos and don’ts to consider. Be judicious even when you are taking a tiny decision in this regard, because you are obviously in no mood to sell your house in case anything goes wrong. It is a lifelong decision you have to take.

Consider the following points:

• Check your current financial situation. You have waited for years for this day to come; if need be, you can wait for another couple of years. Don’t rush into any lucrative deal that a real estate developer offers you.
• Do not invest all your savings in your new house or do not take a big loan, which you cannot afford to repay with your current income. You wouldn’t want to live in your new home with the burden of paying a monthly repayment that leaves you with nothing.
• Make visits to the locality in which you will be staying, as it is important for your family to live in a clean and healthy environment in all aspects. Ensure that the building and construction is up to scratch.
• When you are ready to invest in your new home, take the time to search for an agent who fulfils all your requirements. Agents with big brand names aren’t always the best ones available. Enquire in your circle. Ask everyone, including your friends, family members and work colleagues. Remember, finding an agent is really important. Do not make a deal with someone who only cares about selling a house to you. He should be prepared to provide you appropriate service—after all, buying a house is an important decision.

An important piece of advice: talk to your attorney before closing any deal. Obviously, you do not want to land into legal hassles—real estate is full of such complexities. So prepare yourself, and don’t land yourself in such situations—there are quite a few unscrupulous real estate developers waiting to trap you in their ‘lucrative’ building/construction deals.