On a whim, you decide to cruise a few Open Houses in a neighborhood you find attractive--just to get a feel for the market. And what a feeling you get!

The first house you see makes your brain purr from the moment you step in the front door. You can see your favorite painting over the fireplace, your piano in the corner. You can hear your favorite music piped throughout the house, hear the sound of your children happily at play in their rooms, see the sun shining through the windows on all the furniture and possessions you've collected over the years.

In short, where do we sign?

Please--not so fast! Hold on to the love you have for this home, but give yourself a chance to do some close and careful investigation with the assistance of your own real estate advisor. Learn all you can about the neighborhood. Look at the prices homes in this area have been commanding recently. See where the house you love fits into the actual range of prices of similar homes.

Having taken these steps, you will then be ready to make a reasonable offer, based on actual data. And if you study your financing options, you'll also know exactly what you can afford...and you'll be ready to take a strong offer to the seller. For assistance, call Beth at (425) 450-5208 and visit her website at www.bethbillington.com.

Beth Billington is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Bain in Bellevue, WA.