Working with a licensed realtor can save you a lot of worries.

Everyone has a vision of the house they would love to own one day, but finding a match for that mental picture can sometimes be a long, complicated procedure. Still, if you keep an open mind, find the right agent, and do plenty of research, you can eventually find your dream house.

Realtor Jeanette Henderson is the chair of the California Association of Realtors' Housing Affordability committee and has received special recognition as an outstanding committee chairman. Here she offers tips on hunting for your dream house:

• Defy preset price range.
  When you're hunting for a house, says Henderson, you should search both above and below your pre-determined price bracket. You might find a fixer-upper that's worth the investment or something that's so absolutely perfect that you don't mind paying a little more.

• Seek structural soundness.
  There are certain structural elements that every house must have, like a raised foundation and a steep-pitched roof, which adds to the longevity of the roof. If you choose to buy a house that does not measure up in these areas, you will have to budget a lot more for maintenance and repairs.

• Work with a Realtor.
  Henderson stresses that all real estate agents are not realtors. Realtors are not only licensed by the state, but they adhere to a code of ethics and are part of a national association. If something goes wrong, there is grievance process as well.

• Get a development plan.
  Once you find a neighborhood that appeals to you, go to the Planning Department at City Hall. Get the specific plan for development of that part of the city.

FrontDoor.com
www.frontdoor.com/

Realtor.com
www.realtor.com/default.asp?hm=on&poe=realtor

Homegain
www.homegain.com/index_html