My advice is to write a list under headings that are MUSTS, PREFERRABLE, and DESIRABLE - or whatever you want to call them. It's amazing how you can fall in love with a house and not have noticed it's downpoints unless you look over your check list.

I had a photocopied check list I made up on the computer and wrote the address of each property on it, plus a brief descrition so I remembered which was which. Yup, I'm an overthe top list person, but this is major money you are talking about - who wants to stuff up?

Things such as checking for the number of power outlets in the rooms. Towel racks in the bathrooms, is there enough bench space in the kitchen. Storage!!

Go looking with another friend who hasn't a vested interest in the place. They can looked with unloving eyes on the aplce and see all the defects your rosy tinted glasses may not be seeing. Have one person looking upwards at the ceilings, tops of closets etc etc, while another person is looking downwards. no one person can take in everything.

Think about your lifestyle as it is now, and dont buy for it - buy for what you think it may be in a few years. Eg, if a baby is on the agenda, dont buy with only enough bedrooms for now.

And whoever said about going house hunting on a lousy day - great idea, you see them at their worst. If you are still interested, you can go back on a good day to see how it compares.

Allie