Buying real estate right now isn't for sissies. Financing is a struggle, prices will almost surely keep dropping, and who knows what will happen to your job. But if you have the money and can hang on to a home for 3-5 years or more, there's a huge inventory of properties priced at levels not seen since 2001.

"You could argue that everything is on sale today," says Scott Chesrown, Designated Broker of Black Rock Properties, LLC, a luxury real estate brokerage in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

The question for anyone brave enough to buy a home in Coeur d'Alene is: Can you ever really be confident you're getting a bargain?

While you can never know for sure how the market is going to react in the future, the fact remains that prices are below replacement values on some properties and this makes it very attractive for buyers.

Home buying is not an exact science, but we have a few tips for you if you are finally feeling that it is time to buy the home you have always been wanting.

As patient as Mr. Miyagi and the fly

The trick to spotting vulnerable listings is research. Waking up one morning and deciding that it is time to buy isn't going to be the best approach to tackling the market. Take your time and do some research to see what types of homes are in the area you are looking for and where the current values are. Using the Black Rock Properties Property Search tool, you can browse all available real estate for sale in Coeur d'Alene. Take the time to browse listing photos and create email alerts for the search you have made. Chances are that the property you have been waiting for isn't going to disappear overnight. Take it a step further and contact a Black Rock agent that can help you narrow down properties for sale that fit your lifestyle and needs.

On the market for 100 days or more = time to make a deal

Smart buyers have long known that if a home doesn't sell in three months, the listing becomes stale. Chances are that if that home is on the market for 90-100 days, the price has probably changed once or maybe even twice during that time period.

The days-on-market statistic originates with the Coeur d'Alene multiple-listing service. The problem is that you as a buyer can't see it on all real-estate sites. Here's where to turn: Call or e-mail a Black Rock agent using the contact information on our website and we can tell you exactly how long a property has been for sale and what reductions, if any, have occurred.

Bid aggressively on a discounted property, but be realistic about what you are asking for

Many discounted homes have sustained not just one or two but several price reductions. If you feel it is time to make an offer, be realistic. Today, nearly every buyer is looking for a deal. However, a deal doesn't mean the seller is just going to hand you the keys for being a good person. Talk to your agent, figure out exactly what you think the home is worth and put together a respectable offer with a price that you are comfortable paying. Chances are that if a seller is ready to make a deal, they will negotiate with you if they feel your offer is too low. Worst case scenario: you look for another property...

Look for the property that was an investment

There is a high likelihood today that many homes purchased within the last five years were purchased as an investment. If you are looking for Coeur d'Alene waterfront property, the probability of the property being an investment home could be even higher. As many sellers begin downsizing their lifestyle because of economic factors, selling second or third homes becomes a must. What does this mean for you? This means it is a perfect opportunity for a buyer to find an incredible deal. Speak to a Black Rock agent who can help tell you if a particular property is likely an investment for a seller. This could prove to be one of the smartest moves you make in buying real estate in Coeur d'Alene.