Buying a home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it's an even more expensive process than it needs to be. Many fall prey to at least a few of many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home to another buyer or, worse, buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also buy the home that's best for you.