Sometimes home buyers think they should only take the time to go see homes that are almost certainly the PERFECT home that they will almost certainly LOVE.

I disagree -- I think you should take the time to see some homes that you will probably LIKE but not LOVE.

By doing so...

1.  You will start to clarify what you like, love, must have, must not have in a home.

2.  You will start to very clearly understand what types of homes are selling for what types of prices.

3.  You will be much more confident in moving forward with a home that you LOVE because you have explored multiple homes that you liked but did not love.

So... if you want to pore over the photos of new listings and potentially disqualify them based on the photos, that's fine... and if you want to drive by new listings and potentially disqualify them based on the lot topography or surrounding homes, that's fine... but you will likely be a more prepared and confident home buyers if you look at some homes that are close to what you want, but not exactly on the mark.