I have same advise as Debbie: try to buy directly from owner, not via an agency. In an agency, the price is ALWAYS higher, and the "transaction" is so "cold".
We bought our first house directly from the owner. He loved his house, and also felt we were in love with it too. I t also much easier to negociate!

We sold the house 4 years ago, as we had a new house built.