Buying a home is the biggest purchase you will likely make, so don't be afraid to seek advice from people who've been there, done that.

"We had family and friends who started looking at houses with us," said Jason Beyer, who recently purchased a home in Lenexa, Kansas, with his fiance. "People who own houses can give a better perspective to see things we didn't' see."

For example, he said his homeowner veterans pointed out windows that would likely need replacing in one home. A removed laundry room in another home didn't seem like a big deal at the time to the couple, but they were warned it could be a hassle in cold weather.

Related: Why buying a condo at 29 was a financial windfall