We just moved last year after 30 years. I learned a lot.
- Never use the agent on the For Sale sign because that agent works for the seller. Get your own that you know and can trust. Maybe get referral from someone you know. If you don't like that one, change.
-Rooms can be painted and wallpaper can come down. Look at the space and bones of the house.
-Save yourself a lot of time by searching on zillow.com where you can enter city, subdivision, etc. where you want to live to look for houses for sale in your price range and you can view pictures of the house instead of waiting to see with realtor. You can also see what houses are selling for in that neighborhood.
-If you find a house you think you might like, ask realtor to see it right away. Houses aren't staying on the market very long at all.
-Always hire someone for the inspection and be there when it takes place. Foundation issues are expensive, so get those taken care of as part of the negotiation.
-Have your realtor include a warranty on the house you purchase as part of contract. It usually costs the seller $500 but covers the furnace, AC, appliances, garage door openers, etc.
-The tree advice you have been given is great.
-Having a ranch this time has really changed our lives. We are actually using our whole house instead of having bedrooms upstairs that we never used.
Hope this helps.