We all want to make certain that the home we choose to buy−and the mortgage loan we choose to finance the purchase−make the best rational sense possible. We wanted a four-bedroom home and, by gosh, we found one. We wanted a 15-year fixed-rate loan−found one of those, too.

But there's a problem. Many of the reasons for buying a particular home are like our reasons for liking specific foods or, more dangerous yet, are like the "reasons" that we fall in love and get married. It's a good idea to have a fine check list of rational, left-brain reasons−but you will sail at least half of the decision process under the radar if you fail to check into your emotional "reasons" as well. Indeed, if you don't do so, you will almost certainly get bogged down in rationalizations.

Most people make their first "buying decision" within a few seconds of entering the home they eventually buy. It's not a rational process. That's why it's so difficult for most of us to translate our way of living into the home we need to buy. We mumble things about square footage and how many cars can get into the garage, overlooking the things that are simply too difficult to translate from theory into reality. That, it turns out, is the job of your real estate professional−to hear what you tell her or him about your likes and dislikes, your needs, your plans, your dreams. Let your real estate professional turn your rational and emotional plans, needs and dreams into reality. Just 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.