Choosing the right luxury home can be more difficult than it sounds. In fact, many people are shocked at how frustrating the process of finding that perfect home can be. Here are a few tips to help you keep your cool while finding that perfect property.

First, think about what you really want. It might be tempting to choose the biggest, most equipped and exclusive looking property you can find, but do you really need an en-suite sauna with solid gold fixtures, or will you really use that mahogany-paneled walk-in wine cellar? Those extras that seem so cool to begin with can get annoying in the long run, and if you don’t use them, are just wasting your money.

You should also make sure that you keep your expectations realistic. It’s easy to become disillusioned with a property after you’ve bought it and lived there for a few months, so be aware that the honeymoon phase is going to wear off, and make sure you choose a property with your long-term happiness in mind.

And finally, think about your budget. Be realistic in what you can comfortably afford, and only look at properties in that range. Don’t even tempt yourself by looking at the mega-complex sprawling ranch house with inbuilt racetracks and airstrip if you can’t afford it  there’s just no sense in becoming another foreclosure fatality.

Russell Grether of Compass Real Estate is a Malibu  real estate agent based out of Malibu, California. He specializes in the listing and selling of coastline properties from Montecito to Malibu. To learn more about his unparalleled commitment to service, contact him today at 310.589.2471 or visit his website at www.malibuluxuryrealty.com