It’s not as difficult as you might think to buy a house in this market. In addition to a surplus of homes out there and a large amount of sellers looking for buyers, the prices are incredibly low. If you are interested in buying a house, here is a list of some steps to take.

Strengthen your credit. The higher your FICO score, the better the interest rate you'll qualify for. Obtain a free copy of your credit report and see what the lenders see in your credit history. If the score is too low, be sure to pay off credit cards and resolve any credit disputes or delinquencies.

Determine how much house you can afford. You need to crunch some numbers and figure out how much money you'll likely be able to borrow. You will then be expected to put down 10-20% of the appraised value in the form of a down payment.

Determine whether you need to sell the home you’re in so you can afford a new one. If so, put off buying a house or be prepared to make a contingent offer. Contingent offers involve more risk and may be less desirable for the seller. But in a tough market, anything goes. You may want to put your current house on the market before you start shopping around for a new one.

Get pre-approved for a loan in order to know the actual amount you can pay. Apply to several lenders, but spread it out within a two week period so that the inquiries do not damage your credit report. It’s important to get this done before going out to look at places with a real estate agent. You want a good idea of what you can afford to buy, instead of falling in love with a house you cannot afford to buy.

Go house shopping. Take your time and look at as many homes in as many different neighborhoods as possible to get a sense of what's available. Don't rush into buying anything.

Find a good real estate agent to represent your needs in such an important search. The real estate agent should be friendly, honest, experienced, assured, and qualified. Research his or her rates, methods, references, and training. Make sure you communicate everything you want in a home, such as the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, whether you want an attached garage, the amount of land you’re comfortable with and anything else that may be important. If you want good light or a big yard for the kids, be sure to mention it.

Define where you’d like to live. Drive around to see what’s available. Make sure you examine the prices, home design, and proximity to places of importance. Don’t be afraid to talk to the neighbors. Does the surrounding area give off a family-friendly vibe or would you prefer something quiet and secluded? Drive from your house of interest to work during rush hour traffic and make sure it’s something you can handle.

Visit a few open houses to familiarize yourself with what's on the market and see firsthand what you want. Visit properties you're seriously considering and drive over there at various times of the day. You want to know what traffic and congestion is like as well as available parking, noise levels and general activities. What appears to be a peaceful neighborhood during lunch can become a nightmare after dark.

Make an offer when you’re sure. Once you’ve made an offer, you are officially in escrow and are committed to buying the house, otherwise you lose your deposit. That is, unless you do not get final mortgage approval. During this time period, which typically lasts from 30 to 90 days, your lender arranges for mortgage financing and prepares all the necessary paperwork.

Make sure final acceptance only occurs after a satisfactory home inspection. Request that the inspection includes a thorough check of pests, dry rot, radon gas, and other hazardous materials as well as a survey for the threat of landslides, flood plains, earthquakes, or crime. A home inspection can cost up to $500, depending on the area, but it can prevent thousands of dollars in mistakes. This is especially true with older homes, as you want to avoid potential financial problems and health issues involved with things like lead-paint, asbestos insulation, and mold.

Close escrow. This occurs in the title office when you sign documents related to the property and your mortgage arrangements. There are lots of papers to sign, including the deed and title, which shows that no one else has any claim to your house or lien against it. If any problems or concerns remain, money can be set aside until such issues are resolved. This encourages the seller to remedy any problems in a timely manner so that all that is owed is received.

Consider using a real-estate lawyer to review the documents and represent you at closing. Realtors cannot give you legal advice when you’re considering buy a house. Lawyers do charge anywhere from $200-$400 for just a few hours of their time, but they are helpful with language that can sometimes be confusing.