A) Create a Budget

Figure out how much you can and want to spend on a down payment. Then determine how much you can afford in monthly mortgage payments. With these things established, your real estate agent can hone in on the homes within your price range, eliminating those homes you cannot reasonably afford.

B) Determine the Layout

Another key element your real estate agent needs to know is the desired layout for your home. How many bedrooms do you want? Do you need a study? What about a playroom? Can you simply not live without a pool or great view? Once you have decided on these things, your real estate agent can further narrow down the list of properties for you to consider.

C) Location

How much of a commute to and from work are you willing to have? Do you have children and want to be close to their school? Do you want to be within walking distance from your favorite club or restaurant? Having a certain radius to look within will also help to narrow down the selection of homes that you and your partner will agree on.

D) The Neighborhood

Once you start actually looking at properties, you will have to start doing some more research, just to make sure that you're not buying a great house in a bad place. Do you like the neighborhood your potential new property is located in? Are the neighboring houses or units nice and well kept? Are the roads maintained year-round?

E) The Property

How does your house or condo compare to others in the neighborhood. Does it look out of place? Is it significantly larger or more expensive than others in the area? Despite being tempted to get the nicest property in the area, real estate experts agree that it is better to have a smaller or mid-sized house when compared to others in the neighborhood. Also, don't be put off by cosmetic aspects of the house that can be easily changed once you move in. Always remember to look at the potential of the house, rather than what the current owners have done with the curtains, tiles or the paint.