Life has enough stresses. Let's keep your next home buying experience calm, cool, and collected. Easier said than done? Follow these simple steps and you could be sitting in your new dream home before you know it!

First, work with a real estate agent that you trust. You need to have faith in their abilities and experience. If you are constantly second guessing their advice, this will only add stress, not reduce it. You want to work with an agent that answers your phone calls and emails, and stays in touch the whole step of the way.

Homebuying is about decisions. There are large ones, like which home is right for you. And there are small ones, such as which home inspector to hire. The way to keep stress low is to make informed decisions and then let it go. Let it go? Don't beat yourself up over what could have been or what you should have done. Hindsight is always 20/20.

There is no "perfect" house or deal. There will be things that don't go as planned. Now is the time to focus on the good things about the move and the deal. Don't get bogged down in the negatives. Buy a house that you love and that makes good financial sense.

Along that same line, remember the phrase, "too many cooks in the kitchen." Yes, there are family members that have great advice to share. However, asking too many people for their opinions can distract your mind from your own wishes and wants. Be careful to keep the advice in moderation. This is your decision, after all.

And finally, plan ahead. It is tempting to channel Scarlett O'Hara and worry about things tomorrow, but time is of the essence when you're buying. Deals can move quickly, and between hiring inspectors, getting appraisals, going on showings, and hiring movers -- you don't want to be weighed down with everything all at once.

The bottom line is this. Buying a home is a big responsibility. It takes time and it takes money. But the end result, owning a home that is a good fit for you, is always worth it. So take a deep breath, plan ahead, and don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the ride!

Published: March 17, 2011

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Carla Hill, M.A., works on the Realty Times staff as Managing Editor for our online publication. She also is Producer for the real estate news channel, seen daily on RealtyTimes.com and on video newsletters nationwide.