Olexa,
Di Kawell is right--do make sure that start the preapproval process with a mortgage professional as soon as possible. Trulia's a good starting point however creating a solid strategy for the financing of your home early on will help you in the long run.

I'm linking an article below that I wrote with tips on getting ready to buy your first home.

Trulia is a great place to search for houses, but many bargains are not marketed as such. A good agent that keeps their finger on the pulse of the neighborhood will know of these hidden gems and will become your fiduciary to help you get the best. deal possible.

Trulia won't directly help you get a good price for a house. Trulia is more like a national MLS, ...they have houses for sale listed with them. There's lots of information on Trulia that may help you get an idea on market conditions, but ultimately it doesn't help you buy anything. There are lots and lots and lots of agents on Trulia always trying to get business. Interview a few and you should be able to get a sense of who works well with you.

Physical location of the agent is not THAT important. I may not be living in fed way anymore, but I did live there for 20+ years.

good luck!

Hi Olexa, You are doing the right thing by asking this question on Trulia because you will be able to choose a great agent in Federal Way to help you, right from this site. Buying a house for a good price is not hard to do with all the choices in today's market - but you have to do 2 things to start. 1.Speak to a local lender about how the type of loan that will work the best for you based on your payments and the amount of money you can invest now. 2. Find an agent to work with that is knowledgeable in the area and that you are comfortable working closely with. It could take awhile working together, so a good match is essential. A good agent will listen to your needs and wants and then guide you through the entire process. Check profiles here on Trulia and also check on properties here to start deciding what you want. Have Fun!

Olexa, Trulia is a great place to view properties for sale! The best way to get a good house at a great price is to have a professional Realtor search for properties that meet your criteria and notify you the moment one is available. Regardless of what the media is saying, this is the best time in decades to purchase a home!!! There is an abundance of inventory, the prices are low, sellers are motivated, and the interest rates are unbelievable. If you are serious about buying, don't be afraid, just do it!!! I would be happy to recommend a professional Realtor to you.
Regards,
Lynn Murphy Dickerscheid
Remax Elite
Greater Cincinnati