Shopping for a new home is an exciting time in your life. It came be made easier if you don't let the excitement overcome your research and careful decision making. To assist, we polled a number of real estate agents in northern Virginia for advice and tips on what to do before purchasing a home.

The first suggestion we received from Arlington VA real estate agents was to always obtain an unbiased inspection of any property before purchasing. Don't trust the inspector the homeowner provided; they have a vested interest in giving you a clean bill of health. Also don't pick an inspector randomly from the phone book. Ask friends or real estate agents whom they would recommend. A study of Northern Virginia homes for sale found that homebuyers who got an independent inspection were 80% more likely to be happy with their purchase six months later.

When you check out Northern Virginia homes for sale, it's extremely important to do a walkthrough on your own and make a detailed list of anything you aren't happy with, no matter how trivial it may seem. Real estate agents have told us that getting a good deal may hinge on the negotiating advantage gained from details found doing a walkthrough. Discuss your findings with your agent before making an offer.

Northern Virginia realtors selling new homes indicate that buyers should know about potentially costly problems with newer homes. For instance, built-in pools can be extremely expensive to fix and/or maintain, for one. However, hardwood flooring, roofs, carpets, air conditioners and water heaters -- all of them can be a major cost if they're not properly installed or are of poor construction. Any features such as these should be checked out thoroughly prior to the closing.

The difference between Northern Virginia new homes for sale and older homes for sale is also critical. Real estate agents point out that purchasers of older homes will end up spending between 10 and 40 percent more in maintenance costs than purchasers of newer homes over the lifetime of the building. However, it is important to also keep in mind the fact that in some markets, older homes are more inexpensive to start with, possibly making this maintenance cost increase less relevant.

You should hear your real estate agent out, whether you're buying your first home or upgrading to the house you have always wanted. Listening to your real estate agent will save you money and time. Since Northern Virginia homes for sale have seen their prices fall sharply in recent months, you have a chance to maximize your buying power.