You will likely make at least one trip to your new location before you actually move in order to look at, and hopefully buy, your new home.  Time will probably be limited, so make the most of this time by doing the following.

1. Thoroughly research the housing on-line in advance so you know what is available, pricing, etc. I don't advise going on this trip blind since you'll waste time. Research the towns and communities that interest you, along with schools if applicable.

2. Develop a list of the properties you want to see. Unless you have definite ideas, I suggest a fairly broad list so you can see the range of choices available to you in the new city, and be OPEN MINDED. You can eliminate things as you go, or your Realtor may tell you that some homes are no longer available or that you will not like them based on the criteria you have shared.

3. Ask your Realtor to arrange for you to see the homes on your list, and others that s/he might think are appropriate given the criteria you have discussed. Provide this list several days in advance to give your agent time to arrange the tour. You can always add new properties that just came on the market at the last moment.

4. Since you will likely have only a few days, be prepared to spend the entire day looking at houses and see as many as you can (depending on your list). You can always stop looking if you feel you have seen enough, or find the perfect house. 10 or more houses in a day is not unreasonable on this type of house hunting trip. As you tour homes, if you are in an area you don't like (for whatever reason), let your agent know so you don't waste time going to other homes that are on the list in that area - your Realtor can all ahead and cancel the visit as a courtesy.

5. Take lots of notes and make sure you have a copy of the MLS printout for each house you are seeing so you have all the information. You can take your own printouts but you can ask your agent to provide them to you as well. Also ask for comparison information on homes that have sold in the area (price, etc.). If you do not get motion sickness and don't need to drive (unlike ME), your Realtor can squire you around so you can look more effectively. You can always drive yourself around later to get your own lay of the land.

6. Take a digital camera (and make sure you have the battery charger). Seeing lots of homes in a short period can be confusing, and you will find it hard to remember what you saw (which house had the ugly bathroom, where was that home with the terrific kitchen, which house had the great ocean view but lots of noise from the freeway) without photos and your notes. You can delete photos as you go when you eliminate houses from your list and make room on your camera for more pictures.

7. Try to rank order homes as you go (i.e., compare the one you just saw with the one you are touring). That way you can eliminate those that are low on the list. This will also help you further define what you really like, and you will have a list of homes ranging from your favorite on down.

 8. When touring, don't take too much time at each home so you keep moving along and see everything that you want. Keep a list of the homes you would like to revisit before making a final decision.

9. Depending on your situation, prepare yourself mentally to make a buying decision when you find the right house. If you have done your homework, and with a good agent, you will likely find the home you want during your trip, so you need to be prepared to move ahead quickly. Since you may have to travel back home you will want to be able to make an offer and hopefully get it accepted before leaving.

10. Take your checkbook for a deposit check, and make sure you have your pre-approval letter (or call your lender to fax or email it to you at your hotel). You will need these for any offer you make.