If you have never bought a house before and you're having a hard time reading through the MLS listings, you'll want to find a real estate agent to help you with your search. Finding the house you want can be difficult when real estate professionals stretch the truth about properties and make false claims, but when you hire a great agent they will weed through the bad picks. Here are a few things to consider as you flip through a list of properties.

Zip Code Doesn't Always Define School District

If you are searching by zip code because you want to be in a specific school district, have the real estate agent verify the school district and what specific schools your child will be attending. The zip code doesn't guarantee that you will be going to a specific set of schools, and you may want to look at the zoning lines to make sure you don't end up buying a house when you don't approve of the schools.

A Finished Basement Shouldn't be Included in Square Footage

If you look at house online and you can't believe that it's as big as advertised, quickly add up the square footage if there is a breakdown on levels. Sometimes the real estate agent will list a property with a set amount of square footage as "usable living space" and they are including the basement that is finished. You want to know what you are getting on the main floors, not under the house. When the house is appraised, this space isn't included. You can't claim the house to be as big as what would be included if you added in the basement square footage.

All Appliances Aren't Included

As you look or walk through houses you'll see that the kitchen appliances are still intact if the owner is living in the home, and there may be other appliances as well. All appliances aren't included in the purchase of your home, and you may not be getting the stove, microwave, dishwasher and other items when you move in. Your real estate agent can negotiate these in the deal, or get the units for you at a set price if you need them.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to real estate and you don't want to end up buying something when you have been misled. Find a real estate agent to prevent this from happening to you, and so you can make the best investment.