Number one mistake a new home buyer can make:

Buying a Home Without a Professional Inspection

There are many things a home inspection can reveal about a property that are not visible to the naked eye. Be sure to hire a home inspector with a good referral basis, who's been in the business a while and knows what to look for.

Look up  STAHI (Southern Tier Association of Home Inspectors) to get a list of qualified home inspectors in your area. Once you find a house to purchase, hire an inspector and insist that they compile a written report, complete with photos for areas you might not have looked at yourself.