When you're shopping for your first home  in the north Toronto community of Thornhill -- or any home for that matter -- it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. And that's only natural. Buying  North Toronto/Thornhill real estate  should excite you. But you also need to be analytical and realistic about the home buying process. After all, there's a lot of money on the line when buying a detached house, semi , townhome or condo in North Toronto/Thornhill.

Truth is, many buyers err on the side of emotion. In their excitement, to own property in North Toronto/Thornhill, they overlook aspects of the house or neighbourhood that would normally turn them away. Next thing they know, there's a contract on the table and earnest money in the bank. In short, they succumb to "The One" Syndrome.

What is this syndrome, and how do you know if you're a victim? Here's a test:

If during your North Toronto/Thornhill home buying experience, you've ever pulled up to a detached house, semi or townhome and blurted "This is the one!" before even getting out of the car -- you've been a victim of "The One" Syndrome.

There's nothing wrong with feeling good about North Toronto/Thornhill real estate based on a first impression. Truth is, first impressions say a lot about a house, so they should be part of your decision-making criteria. But you must remain objective in spite of your excitement. Here's why:

Emotion has a way of playing with our heads. A strong emotional reaction can blind you to other realities that would normally be crystal clear. In home buying terms, this means you might overlook serious flaws or disadvantages about a North Toronto/Thornhill house , semi, townhome or condo as a result of your excitement. Gitta Levi, of Century 21 Heritage Group in North Toronto/Thornhill, will help you make the home buying decision, without getting carried away.

Here are some of her tips to help you balance emotion with logic for a safer home buying experience.

1. Pretend you're screening the North Toronto/Thornhill house or condo for a friend, not for yourself. This will help you remain cool-headed and business-like throughout your visit.

2. Another take on the firend approach is to bring a friend along with you. A friend can give you an objective viewpoint and might help you remember things about the North Toronto/Thornhill real estate that you wouldn't otherwise recall.

3. Have a checklist before visiting each North Toronto/Thornhill detached house, semi, townhome or condo. This list should include all the things you're looking for in North Toronto/Thornhill property arranged by most to least important. Having them on paper will remind you to check the house for them -- even in a state of, shall we say heightened emotion.

4. When you find a North Toronto/Thornhill house or condo that you like, visit more than once. You'll be amazed  at the things you notice the second time around, after your initial excitement has worn off.

Of course, if you're in a seller's market where houses sell quickly, you'll have less time for the tactics listed above. But it still pays to be objective.

North Toronto/Thornhill home buying brings out all kinds of emotions. That's only natural. But for something that affects your life so dramatically -- and so financially -- it pays to keep a cool head. And don't worry, you'll find "the one" soon enough, according to Gitta Levi,of Century 21 Heritage Group, North Toronto office of Thornhill, On.