Believe it or not buying a home hasn’t been sweeter. Despite the dismal unemployment rate and unpromising stock market, for some this is the perfect time to buy a home, explains Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real-estate spokesperson.

"This is a buyer’s market," Patton says. "For one, the number of homes on the market is at an all-time high. State and federal governments are offering a number of tax breaks that make many nervous buyers feel right at home. Interest rates have hit lows that we haven’t seen since 1964. And home prices are at levels that were seen in 2003."

Congress tried to lure worried consumers when they passed legislation in early 2009 that grants a tax break of up to $8,000 to virgin home buyers. The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit expires December 1, 2009, and  Realtor.com lays out the incentive in simplest terms. 

In addition to Uncle Sam’s generosity, approximately 13 states currently shell out cash or tax breaks for purchasing an abode. For instance, California offers people $10,000 or 5 percent of the purchase price of a newly constructed home — up until March 2010. "During the housing bubble, certain states were building, building, building, and now, we have brand-new homes, condos and apartments that no one is buying," Patton says. New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Missouri are just a few states offering tax breaks to help with the down payment or closing costs that might sneak up on some buyers. To see if your state is dangling money like a carrot, visit ThinkGlink.com, which offers brief descriptions on each legislation.

After you educate yourself on the latest housing incentives, do not just carpe diem and buy a new home. Buying a house is a major decision, financially and emotionally. "Women especially will shop with their heart and not with their head," says Patton, who came to this conclusion after she and her colleagues at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC surveyed1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. So with foreclosures calling your name, low mortgage rates and cash bait, here are seven smart tips to follow when shopping for your home sweet home.

• Don’t fly solo: A home is probably a couple’s biggest joint investment, but many people delegate the home search to one partner. Often one person will have already looked at many homes, fallen in love with one and then – the partner comes in with a totally different opinion, so they go back to square one. Commit to taking the time upfront to do this together, and you’ll probably save time in the long run.
 

• No matter how small your space, find a place to call your own: Even if you’re in a relatively small home, you need to think about creating a spot to find solace and precious "alone time" we all need now and then. When you’re looking at homes, figure out where you can have an oasis from crying kids, a ringing phone, a yelling partner or any of life’s distractions. It’ll preserve your sanity and prevent stress from taking over.
 

• Invest with your head and your heart: There’s usually one person who responds on an emotional level – "I can just imagine what a great Thanksgiving we could host here!" and the other who thinks more practically – "This is great for our budget." Try and tap into both of these instincts, because we all know that beautiful kitchen won’t be ideal if there’s no money left for the turkey dinner!


• Don’t be a decorating diva (or dictator): One person in a couple often holds the reins when it comes to choosing the way a room should be used and how it will be decorated. Remember, you live in (and likely paid for) this home together. Both men and women should have input in making your house feel like a home.