Buying a home can be stressful. There are many potential pitfalls lying in wait, whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned veteran or somewhere in between. But there are things you can do — and learn — before making a move that can allow you to steer away from these pitfalls and into the driveway of your dreams.

Know the code

Understanding the terminology used by sellers, real estate agents, Web sites and mortgage lenders is the first step. Learn how to read a home listing: Strip away all those fluffy adjectives and watch for important omissions. For instance, if a listing flyer advertises three bedrooms but does not mention the number of bathrooms, it probably has only one.

A common mistake is putting blind trust in industry specialists, such as real estate agents, mortgage lenders and others. Don’t ignore your gut instinct! Remember that these professionals are human beings and most have a financial stake in your decision. So take your time; interview your potential partners until you are satisfied that you have found people who you feel will represent your best interests throughout the whole process of buying a home.

Using a real estate agent can help you avoid potential pitfalls. “It is important for the buyer to have his or her own agent,” says Ellen Jensen, a broker. But watch for an agent that’s working both sides. “Agents can legally represent both the buyer and seller,” Jensen says. “We call this wearing two hats, and it is very difficult to do. Many agents won’t, in fact, do it. It could be a lawsuit waiting to happen. The buyer is better served by using his own agent to represent him.”

Jensen also encourages buyers to be leery of a seller’s agent willing to offer a better price if they agree to use the seller’s agent. “This tactic can be somewhat unethical and [the buyer] should be careful of what and whom he is dealing with.”

Money pitfalls

The biggest money pitfall, according to certified loan specialist Lori Hastings, is failing to get a pre-approved mortgage first.

“Equipping yourself with a pre-approval allows you to show prospective sellers that you are serious and that you have done your homework,” Hastings says.

According to Jensen, it’s important to remember when shopping for a home that many on the market are staged — professionally decorated to make them more appealing to buyers. “Buyers should try to remove the furnishings in their minds, try to see the bare walls. If it’s right, don’t worry about the sofa that doesn’t fit.

Check comps

Another important thing for buyers to do is to check comparable area sales before shopping. This can be done on Web sites such as www.realtor.com and www.zillow.com. According to Jensen, location is the most important factor determining the price, followed by the square footage. “Realtors use comparable sales when they advise sellers, and appraisers use comparable sales in their appraisals also,” says Jensen.

Web resources can be a very effective and efficient tool for educating yourself on the home-buying process and current market conditions. One such site is Zillow.com’s real estate wiki (www.zillow.com/wiki/RealEstateWiki.htm).

Whether buyers have a great deal of experience or are buying their first home, education is the key to leveling the playing field with sellers and ensuring your home purchase is a positive experience and an excellent business decision.

Karen Dawson, owner and principal of Dawson Communications Group, lives in Maple Valley with her husband and two children.

Resources for homebuyers

•   www.realtor.com — contains all Master Listing Service (MLS) listings
•   www.zillow.com — shows comparable sales, “Zestimates” (Zillow’s estimated market value of a home), and offers a real estate guide (learn the ins and outs of buying a home on Zillow’s Real Estate Wiki)
•   The 106 Mistakes Homebuyers Make and How to Avoid Them, by Gary Eldred, Wiley
•   Missed Fortune 101, by Doug Andrews, Warner Business Books
•   Home-buying courses taught through unbiased sources such as your local community college

Terms to know

Buyer beware (also known as caveat emptor): The buyer alone is responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying.

In its present condition: the new, less frightening way to say “as is.”

Earnest money: a deposit given to the seller to show that a prospective buyer is serious about buying the house. This money is forfeited if the buyer does not follow through with the purchase and sale agreement.

Pre-approval: a lender has looked closely at both your credit report and your income and determined that you qualify for a loan. The lender will tell you the maximum amount of loan it will make, which loan programs you qualify for, and will discuss the interest rates it will offer for different types of loans.

Pre-qualification: loan pre-qualification does not typically include an analysis of your credit report or an in-depth look at your true ability to buy a home. The term means that someone has taken a general look at your income and expenses and plugged them in to a debt-to-income ratio formula. It does not guarantee a loan.

Contingency: a condition that must be satisfied before a contract is legally binding.