It’s a buyer’s market for houses in most parts of the U.S., including the Philadelphia area. That’s great news for people who are home hunting in and around the Philly area. What are the best tips for buyers looking to take advantage of all the great Philadelphia real estate deals that are available today?

These days, over 80 percent of all sales begin on the Internet, where prospective homebuyers can research thousands of online listings, view statistics and photos, and even take virtual tours. It’s a good idea for prospective homebuyers to have their goals and budgets in place before they sit down in front of their computers, so they don’t waste their time daydreaming over homes that don’t meet their needs or are priced beyond what they can afford.

Just as homeowners can research real estate online, they can also research real estate brokers. It’s critically important to find a real estate broker who listens to a buyer’s specific needs and doesn’t waste precious time showing him or her properties that don’t fit parameters that have been decided upon. It’s good to interview real estate agents before deciding to work with them but never interview two agents from the same real estate company. Listing agents work for the seller, and buying agents work for the buyer. Don’t ask a listing agent to do a buying agent’s job.

It’s possible to go to 20 open houses on a single Sunday, but it’s probably not a good idea. The optimal number of houses to see in the Philadelphia real estate market on a single day is seven. Touring prospective home requires concentration. Bring a digital camera and take photos of each open house, starting with a shot of the house number, in order to distinguish the open houses from one another. Take a pad and paper also to take notes of design elements and the homes’ surroundings.

After a prospective buyer has gone on several open house days, he or she has probably seen one or two homes that meet some or all of his or her criteria. It’s always a good idea to see the houses that stand out a second time. The buying agent and the prospective homebuyer will then sit to review what they’ve seen. After that, the buying agent will call the listing agent and serious negotiations can begin for that prime piece of Philadelphia real estate.

The Philadelphia real estate market is starting to pick up again. It won’t be a buyer’s market forever. Now is the best time to start looking for the perfect Philadelphia home.