There are a number of ways that you can go about finding your new home, and a multifaceted approach is likely to be most effective.
Finding the right agent to help you early on is probably a good idea, although it is not essential. But a good agent can help you avoid wasting time and get you focused on what you must do to find a home, the least of which is obtaining current listings from the MLS. Many agent sites will let you search on-line without registering. A good site for Bergen County Homes is
http://www.bergencountyhomes.net/ On good websites like
http://www.bergencountyhomes.net/ you can sign up to receive listings emailed to you daily so you will be up to speed on what is available in your price range.
If you are not working with an agent, or for some reason are not yet ready to do so, you have many sites available to you to search for homes on-line. Some are better and more complete than others. You may be required to register in order to use certain sites for searching.
Attend open houses in the areas that interest you. This will enable you to see a range of properties that are appealing, and learn more about the market and home values. Most open houses are on the weekends, but you occasionally see them during the week, especially in the evenings. You can find open houses to attend on-line, and in the local newspapers.
Drive around the communities that interest you to explore what's there, check out nearby amenities, test the commuting distance, and just gain a feel for whether the neighborhood appeals to you or not. If you do this on the weekends you will also find open houses to visit. Realize that some open houses will be outside your price range, and you won't know until you walk in the door, but it doesn't hurt now and then as it will help with your education about value. But don't get caught up into going to the homes that are clearly more expensive just because it's fun to see them. You will waste time.
At some point you will want to see specific homes that are not open houses as your search becomes more focused, and to do that you will need to work with an agent to gain access. You can call the agent whose name is listed on the for sale sign for access, but it is in your best interest to find an agent to help you on an on-going basis, who can then take you to visit all the homes that interest you. And that person can represent YOUR interests rather than the sellers'.
