Good news! For those who qualify for a mortgage - those with a steady income, strong credit and some type of savings - this is a good time to purchase a home!  Mortgage rates are still low, and home prices have been declining in most parts of the United States.  That's what is known as a "buyer's market."

To help you navigate the uncertainties, especially if you're entering the market for the first time, The Chappell Team would like to share with you 10 tips for buying a house:

Tip #3. Do your homework.

Once you have found the perfect, diligent and dedicated real estate agent and she is by your side, that still is not enough.  Buyers need to research their potential new home and neighborhood as thoroughly as possible.  Thankfully, a lot of that work can be done from your computer.  The National Association of Realtors says 84% of buyers use the Internet to help them find a home.  Do not be part of that other 16%.  You'll find the Internet is packed with resources about homes for sale in hundreds of cities, neighborhoods, crime statistics and school districts.

"The Internet is a terrific tool.  When I last looked for a house in 1992, that kind of information was nonexistent," says Elliot Goldstein, 46, who, with his wife, Stacey, 45, and their two children, is planning to move. In todays real estate market "I get virtual house tours, multiple listing services - everything I need to find out about when my family and I are moving, I can find out online."

Some of the more popular sites to use are Realtor.com, HAR.com, Woodlandsonline.com and more!

If you or anyone you know would like help navigating through the online resources available, please call The Chappell Team today!