Any prospective home buyer, and that includes you, who is going to make what will be one the largest investments of their life on a new house, should take a few steps to protect themselves.

One thing that you definitely need to do is a home inspection by a professional home inspector. Such an inspection can reassure you, the buyer, that the electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems in the house are in the condition represented by the seller.

Make sure you hire the home inspector; don't let the seller's real estate agent provide one for you. This will insure that the inspector has your interests to protect and not the seller's.

Before choosing a realtor, selecting a mortgage company, or buying a home, compare different sites to find the one that best fits you and your needs.