I have talked a lot about the home buying process, and in particular about due diligence.

The reason is that "buyers beware" is really something to keep in mind when making your most important and most expensive purchase. Just as with buying a car, a computer, or other products, you want to make sure that you are buying what is being represented, and not something else. The problem is that a home is a much more complicated acquisition, and consumers vary so much in terms of what they want and are willing to accept.

Doing your due diligence - checking on all the issues that matter to you, verifying information and reviewing disclosures - is critical and something you MUST NOT take lightly. Certainly this can also involve having your BUYER AGENT check on things for you with the listing agent/seller. But don't skimp on this. You might find that what you thought you are getting is not that at all. And after you have completed the transaction it is too late.

Here's an example. I am working with a buyer that has, as a "must have," the need for A/C. We saw one unit that fit all the criteria, but according to the MLS did not have A/C. Too bad. But on our second visit to the home we looked closely at the thermostat and saw a setting for cool, and tried out the switch. Terrific. But I also have a call in to verify with the agent/seller that the unit DOES, in fact, have A/C. Otherwise it might kill the deal.

There are lots of things that might be important to you, as well as issues disclosed by the seller that may impact your decision to buy or not.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE! Don't make a bad purchase because you were lazy, made assumptions, didn't take the time, or forgot to check. It'll bite you in the end.

And don't assume that what the MLS says is necessarily accurate - you need to verify the information.