Ever since you were little, you've probably had visions of the house you'd own when you were older. Now that you have a steady career, a stable financial position, and the desire to own your dream home, you have the ability to make that dream come true. The real estate market is favoring buyers at this moment, so now is the time to get started. Here are a few tips that will help you on the process to living in your dream home!

Tip 1- First you will need to purchase a piece of land on which you can begin constructing your new home. Look for land that is convenient to local schools, shopping centers, and gas stations, but still in a location that can provide enough privacy and tranquility to make you feel comfortable. Find out what the local codes and laws are for building on the property before you commit to buying. Also, it's a good idea to find out if utilities have already been run to the land which can save a lot of time and money when you begin building.

Tip 2- Next you will need to design your house. If you find yourself creative and decisive about what you like and what you need, there are plenty of computer software and programs available that will allow you to design your dream house on your own. This will help save hundreds to thousands of dollars and ensure that you will get exactly what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you don't have the time or artistic creativity to design the blueprints yourself, you can hire a trained architect. Check on the American Institute of Architects website to find a local architect near you.

Tip 3- Unless you are a general contractor by trade, you will need to find someone to head up the building and construction of your new home. You can choose from an architect or a general contractor to make sure everything runs smoothly during the building process. Before you hire one, check a number of difference references and follow up on all of them. Ask to see samples of work they've already done. Be wary of a company or individual who asks for all of the money up front. You should need to pay about a 10% down payment, then 20-25% payment each time a major system of the house is complete (i.e. electrical, plumbing, etc.). Finally make sure to keep about 10-15% of the bill until the construction has been completed and is to your liking.

If you use these tips and make sure you do all the proper research and preparations, you can be in your dream house in as little as 4-5 months. Take your time and make sure the land you choose and the people you hire are worthy of your future dream home.