First of all, if you know where you want to live, then go there. Whether it's a new city or a new neighborhood, taking a drive through your future abode can open up plenty of possibilities.

When it comes to purchasing a home, the choices available can be a little overwhelming. With the onslaught of the internet, it seems there are thousands of ways to locate that perfect home, and a new buyer might be a confused about where to start. There are a few good ways to narrow the selection.

Realtors and independent home sellers still rely very much on the For Sale sign in the front lawn, and there's no substitute for real curb appeal. This technique has the huge benefit of allowing you to see the properties in person and know immediately if they are worth pursuing. However, it's rather unusual for prices to be listed on For Sale signs outside houses, so try to stick to areas that you know are in your price range. Make sure to bring a camera and a pad of paper, so you can take pictures and write down phone numbers and addresses for future reference. You might end up making an awful lot of phone calls, but it can be worth it.

While you're in your new potential city or neighborhood, pick up the local paper. The classified ads are still the time-honored way to get a house onto the market and you'll find no shortage of listings. Prepare yourself to make some more phone calls and do some more driving. We didn't say this would be a quick process!

Then again, it can be. For those in a time crunch, there are many ways to find houses for sale that don't involve legwork. Many websites offer specialized house searches, which charge a small fee and do the ad-scanning for you, sending you information on properties that meet your criteria. There are also several companies in your local yellow pages which offer this same service. For those who need to move quickly or don't have the resources to hunt, these services can be lifesavers!

Finally, whether you're in a hurry or just browsing, talk to local real estate agents. They'll be able to give you information on what properties they are personally representing, as well as a feel for how prices are running in various parts of town. Keep in mind that agents make money selling houses, not explaining markets, so they won't be able to offer you specialized help unless you're purchasing from them. But if nothing else, their information may be able to point you in the right direction.

House hunting is an exciting process no matter how you do it, and there's no right or wrong way to begin. When it's time to go, weigh your priorities and choose your weapon, whether it's a pad of paper and a pen or the World Wide Web. The right property is out there somewhere. The secret is to have fun finding it!