Adventures in House-Hunting: You Had Me At...Uh Oh.

You have only been looking at homes for a short time, but you think you have found "the one".

It's OK if it's love at first sight, but prepare for the unexpected. Like any relationship, sure, you can't see brains from across a room. It's normal to feel instant attraction at first glance; but, be sure to look beyond the cuteness to find out what's really going on.

Is it a nice home next to sketchy neighbours who have bed sheets on the windows? Does flooding occur the area? Is the home close to a railway line or directly under a flight path? These are all things that will surely cause grief while you own the home and bring down its value.

Also, be realistic about needs vs. wants. A solid house with a newer roof, furnace and windows is better than a house with new hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and a leaky roof.

Weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision, or it could cost you big time.