We don't all get the chance to road test a property before we buy, as on To Buy or Not to Buy. But if you've decided that it's time to buy, be it at home or abroad, understand the game, know the dangers, and calculate the costs before you put in that offer.

Shop around and get at least three agents to give a valuation and quote for their services. Estate agents often start by offering similar fees, but by bargaining you can make big savings - about £300 on an average valued home.

When you ask an estate agent to act on your behalf and he agrees to do so, you are entering into a legally binding contract. So ‘think contract’. Check its terms. Find out about whether you have the right to cancel the contract and how long it will run for.

To get the best deal:

• Negotiate on fees
• Ask for the fee as a monetary sum based on the estate agent’s valuation, not just a percentage
• Always get more than one valuation for the property and compare them. Be realistic – trying to sell your property at an inflated price could mean that it will take longer to sell
• Check what you’re signing up to and whether you’re being offered a sole or multiple agency deal or sole selling rights (see key terms)
• Check exactly what’s included in the package such as advertising, brochures and so on
• Read the contract, ask questions and never sign up to anything that you don’t understand