Are you thinking of building your dream home? There is an organized way to go about it. The first thing that you have to search for is the lot and the ideal one is not be just any piece of Minnesota real estate property that you find in the area that you desire. To find the ideal plot of land, there are certain factors that you have to take into consideration aside from its location. The number of trees, water features, accessibility to amenities and to a power source are some of the things that you would have to take into account when looking around for the lot you will build dream home on.

In the book, "Tips and Traps When Buying a Home", written by Robert Irwin, the author recommends using a checklist when searching for a lot as a first time home buyer. This checklist will help ensure that critical details are not missed when you go about finding the right property. Here are some essential tips on how to choose the right property:

1. Map out nearby cities and towns. If your lot is located in a rural area, find out how far the nearest cities and towns are. This will help you decide if a commute from your future home will be worth it, and what your lifestyle might be like if you have to travel to the city on a regular basis.

2. See the natural features. Are there many trees in and around the property? Is it near a water form like a lake or a stream? How far away are these natural features from the lot you are interested in? There are many buyers who overlook these kind of details when they decide to purchase a property to build their home in. Keep in mind that when you build a home close to a lake or forest, you may have to deal with flooding during certain times of the year or deal with the wildlife in the area.

3. Source of water. If you will build a home in an urban area, it will be easy for you to get a source of water. This may not be the case especial if you plan to buy a lot in the countryside. You may have to work with a private water company and find ways to bring water to your home.

4. Inspect the soil quality. To ensure that your new home will be build on a solid foundation, determine the quality of the soil. This is an important factor that you have to take into serious consideration. If you are unsure on how to go about it, hire a professional.

5. Find out about building restrictions. Knowing what the building restrictions are in the area that you plan to build a new home will aid you in your planning. It is highly possible that there are restrictions on what you can build, how much you can renovate or remodel, especially if the property is located near a national forest, a wildlife preserve or a major landmark. Being aware of any restrictions will can help you decide what to do and save you from investing in something that you might regret on a later date.

Aside from the physical features of the property, buyers should check the land title. Make sure that the title of the property is clear and that are no easements of any kind on the lot. This will make the process of building your home a lot less complicated and make it easier for you to purchase the lot for you to build your dream home.

First time homebuyers can save a lot of time, money and effort by being organized and prepared for all the steps in the home buying process. When you are choosing any of the Minnesota homes for sale, one of the most vital steps to take is the valuation of the home or being able to determine what the home is worth by making your own assessment.

Authors Eric Tyson and Raymond Brown of the book "Home Buying for Dummies" point out that the true value of the home doesn't only consist of the price. Value means different things to different people, so you need to identify the factors that are most important to you when searching for your ideal home. Ultimately, the value of the home is what a particular home is worth to you, and what types of benefits you will derive from this type of investment.

The first step that a home buyer can take is to review the actual dollar cost of the home and compare it to the other homes in the same neighborhood. This can be done by taking a look at the MLS listings of the specific area. Finding out what the original purchase price of the home for sale can also help, but if the purchase was not within the last 3 years, you cannot make an accurate assessment and use the original purchase price a basis for review. To use the original purchase price to aid in your assessment, see if the property has devalued or if its value has increased withing the time period since the seller bought it.

The second step that a home buyer can take is to figure out how much repair work is needed and what the cost will be. Ask yourself a few questions like "If I move in next week, what has to be done to make it livable and lovable?" or "What needs to be fixed and how much will it cost?" Sometimes, the cost of repairs is factored into the asking price but if it is not, it is to your advantage to know what the add-on expenses you may be facing in the near future.

The third step would be to project how much the property can be sold for in 5, 10, or 20 years after your purchase. This is when the location of the home becomes vital. Find out what is the average appreciation value of the real estate property of the neighborhood that you are interested in. If the trend of the property prices show that it is stable and in some years, you can make a good return on your investment, it would be to your advantage to make such an investment.

When searching for your ideal home, make a studied assessment of the different homes for sale in the various neighborhoods. The true value of your new home is not just what the actual asking price is because of the things that have to be taken into consideration, like repairs, price history, the benefits you will get from living in the area, and what the property will be worth in the future. Find out more about the new homes for sale and what neighborhoods have good appreciation rates so you can make the most out of your investment.