Most buyers today start out in search of a “steal”. They have been primed by the media, friends, family and co-workers to believe that they should be able to buy the house of their dreams at 50 cents on the dollar.  Can they get a steal?  Absolutely.  Will it be the house of their dreams?  Not necessarily.

There is a fine line between “steal” and “deal”.  Buyers have to ask themselves what is most important to them: price or house.  I have seen buyers who lost sight of the house in search of the deal. 

A healthy goal might be looking for a great deal on a house you want to call home.  Good deals can be had.  The market has adjusted across the board, but a lot of the super steals are leftovers that carry baggage: bad lot, damage, etc. 

Remember that you have to live there after the thrill of the deal is gone.  Keep your priorities in order: location, neighborhood, house, deal.