One of the things you should think about early on is whether you want to purchase a home that is already built and has been lived in (resale), or whether you would like to engage a builder to create you a custom home on a vacant lot. There are Pros and cons to both options, and you should consider: (Pros and Cons charts for Resale and New Construction). In either case, you should consider choosing an agent who specializes in the type of housing you are looking for.