When you are going it alone, the thought of home ownership can seem paralyzing to some. Just like experienced home owners looking to make a move, location, price, and financing should play a major role in your decision.

As a single homebuyer, doing a little research may help relieve some of the anxiety. Keep these tips in mind when you start your search.

1. Find a Realtor® you can trust! Ask your friends for recommendations about an experienced agent who can help in every step of the buying and financing process, or talk to some agents to see how you relate to them.

2. Make a list of the things that are most important to you. This is not just what you would like in a home such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but whether you want to mow grass and do landscaping, whether you like a ranch or two-story, Victorian or contemporary. If you can't do much more than put a nail in the wall, then you will want to look at homes that have been updated or consider new construction. Do you need to be close to work, or a fitness center or a hospital?

3. Look at your current financial situation and consider what the future could bring. Consider the size of home, what maintenance you are willing to do, and consider how long you might be in the house. Would your new home be too small or too inconvenient for a life change if you met Mr. or Mrs. Right? This shouldn't stop you from purchasing, but just consider your options.

4. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important to help you know exactly what you can spend without being over-extended. Consider what could happen if you lost your job, had a long term illness, or how a transfer to another city would affect you when you have no partner to offset your expenses. Most of all, don't start looking at homes you just can't afford. If you look only within your budget, you will find the best home within that price range and not be disappointed at what another $10,000 would buy. And if you discover that the amount you can spend now just won't buy what you want, start saving and wait until you can make a wiser purchase.

5. Use the Internet to help you determine neighborhoods, types of homes, bedrooms and more! According to NAR, 80% of the buyers today start with the Internet. With pictures of homes on almost every busy Realtor® website, doing your homework saves lots of time and energy. Many Realtor® websites direct you to statistics on neighborhoods, schools and even the percentage of singles vs. families as simply as inserting a street address into the search criteria. If you are new to the area, asking coworkers and friends where they live and what areas they would suggest too.

6. Don't rule out condominiums. Condominiums are a lifestyle, but you still reap all the benefits of home ownership without a lot of the typical maintenance. Many condominiums offer great recreational facilities such as a pool or tennis courts. Remember to consider the monthly maintenance fee when looking at your expenses.

7. Have fun! Buying your first home is exciting, and the market is great right now for buyers. Look for Open Houses in your favorite areas, scour the Internet; and don't be afraid to ask questions!