For buyers

2. Don't wait to see how low it will go

If you find a house you want that's priced well, stalling can backfire. "Wait until the bottom of the market?" asks Andersen. "I say to buyers, 'Tell me what it is, and we can wait.' " In worrying excessively about cost, LaBrecque points out, buyers often forget to focus on the big picture. "People get a thrill from the deal, but how long will the thrill last?" she asks. "Is paying $5,000 more than you think the house was worth going to matter in five years? It's much more important to be in love with the house. That thrill will last a lot longer."
2. Don't wait to see how low it will go If you find a house you want that's priced well, stalling can backfire. 'Wait until the bottom of the market?' asks Andersen. 'I say to buyers, 'Tell me what it is, and we can wait.' ' In worrying excessively about cost, LaBrecque points out, buyers often forget to focus on the big picture. 'People get a thrill from the deal, but how long will the thrill last?' she asks. 'Is paying $5,000 more than you think the house was worth going to matter in five years? It's much more important to be in love with the house. That thrill will last a lot longer.'