This is a house buyers market. We all know it, prices are low and people who are selling are desperate. You’re in the market for a new home, but you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal, here are some things you should know.

Know what you want in a house. Consider these the minimum requirements and make a list of them. These are the things you desire and must have. Knowing what you want will help make choosing a house much easier.

Know your budget. Figure out how much you can afford to put as a down payment, this should account for 20% of the price, you can borrow the other 80%. There are many options for mortgages, but using the 20/80 ratio will keep you from buying more than you can afford.

Using a home inspector. A Home inspector can give you a heads up on any problems the house might have. Water damage, foundation leaks and even structural problems can be caught before you buy the home, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Prepare for future changes. The Boyscout’s moto “Always be prepared” is true when buying a house as well. Make sure the house you’re buying meets your needs, but also make sure it’s able to meet potential future needs as well. You never know when circumstances may change and there’s nothing worse than having to move out of a home you love.

Research. Knowing how much homes in a particular neighborhood go for can help keep you from getting ripped off. No matter how beautiful a home is, its still going to be affected by the homes around it, don’t get tricked into buying the one nice home in that shabby neighborhood.

Never make an offer right away. Always go home and look at all the options, compare the home to all the other homes you’ve seen, make sure it’s the best one. House buying is a slow process, take your time, you’ll eventually find what you’re looking for.

Don’t believe everything you hear. People will say anything to get a sale. Especially these days, you can never be too careful. Don’t let an aggressive selling agent push you into buying a home you’re not comfortable with. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There you have, seven very useful things all house buyers should know. Use them to help in your research and home buying.