Buying a house is something most people do once in a lifetime. So to avoid making mistakes whilst buying your house, use the help of these tips.   1. Don't believe a house upfront. This means though a house may look beautiful on the outside, there may be some structural defects. So get an architect's report done before you buy a house. It's worth it.   2. Be careful of real estate agents who say it's not necessary to get an architect's report. The job of an agent is to strike a deal. They don't keep your interests in mind whilst selling the house to you.   3. There are some sellers who just want to get rid of their houses because of some recurring problems. So be careful of such sellers.   4. Find out more about the rates of property in an area to ensure you are paying the right rate before closing a deal.   5. Make sure you buy a house that meets your requirements like sufficient number of rooms, close proximity to your kids' school and the market and of course, your budget.   6. Don't rush into any deal. Take as much time as required to finalise a deal after thorough inspections and comparisons of houses and finances.   7. Check the neighbourhood especially if you have kids. You wouldn't want them to grow in a noisy community.   8. Never pay more than you can afford for a house as it will only lead you to debt. You should always have some money remaining after buying your house.   9. You need money for additional fees, repairs and utility connections after buying a house so make provisions for them.   10. You should thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage loan you will use to buy the house.