I recently stepped into a house with my boyfriend and was greeted by scented candles and jazz music playing softly in the background.

Nope, not Valentine's Day — an open house for a property we might have been interested in buying.

Along with beautiful photos, stylish furniture and big crowds, these tactics are designed to tug at your heartstrings when you're looking to buy.

But when investing in a big asset likely property, distractions can also leave you heartbroken — or worse, paying more than you should.

And if you're new to the real estate market, there's more chance you'll fall for this stuff, warns buyers' agent Rich Harvey, who helps people find their ideal property.

So how do you keep your cool and stay emotionally detached while shopping for a home?

Here are some expert advice.

Don't trust the photos

Don't be fooled by showroom photos.

Agents heavily rely on images to get people through the door, says former real estate agent Kristy Griffiths, which is why people often complain they're misleading.

Although agents can't falsely advertise, they will photograph the home in its best light.

Scented candles and treats are traps for young players when it comes to house hunting. ( Pexels: Ylanite Koppens )

That may include retouching non-important details, like removing dirt from a wall or making grass look greener.

They'll also often use a wide-angle lens which make small spaces look larger.

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Use the internet to empower yourself

A lot of what you need to know before buying a property can be found on the internet.

Researching the market is Mr Harvey's recommended first stop.

That means looking at what recently sold in your price range and the areas you're looking in.

"Many of the free online valuation tools are very unreliable and inaccurate — but unfortunately the public rely on them," he says, recommending instead people use paid subscriptions like CoreLogic (formerly RP Data), Domain and Residex.

Getting your head around a property as much as possible before going to see it will help keep your emotions in check.

Make a property brief, aka wish list

Creating a wish list is handy before searching for a home, Mr Harvey says.

"Before you jump online and look at property, have a very clear picture in your mind," he says.

Write out a checklist with the features you would like including the basics like bedrooms, bathrooms and size of the property — as well as "must-haves and like-to-haves", he says.

And be realistic. If you can't afford a swimming pool or million-dollar view, don't include it.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland media manager Felicity Moore recommends making use of the filters on real estate listing websites, so the properties meet your minimum requirements.

"The next step is talking to the agent to learn all those things that often don't get mentioned on the listing portal; for example, when renovations were last done," she says.

Avoid the 'urgency' trap

When Ms Griffiths was selling properties, she knew the value of creating a sense of urgency for prospective buyers.

For example, an agent might tell stories like "it's not convenient for the owner" to have you look through the home during the week, which means everyone will go through at the same time on a Saturday.

She says agents use that crowd to create a sense there is a lot of interest in the property, and that's leverage for negotiating with potential buyers.

"Instead of them walking away only to put a low-ball offer in on the Monday, you get a fire going in their belly and everyone is putting their best offer forward," she says.

"It's no smoke and mirrors, it's just creating a situation to get the right price.

"As a buyer I would be very aware of these things."

Stand firm and stick to your own schedule — don't be rushed by an agent.

Focus on location, not trimmings

The number one thing buyers should be concerned with is the location, says buyers' agent Rich Harvey. ( Unsplash: Brandon Griggs )

At open homes, people look at the cosmetic aspects far more than location, warns Mr Harvey.

"A home that is beautifully styled will create an emotional reaction," he says.

"Emotional tugs are the paint colour, the curtains, fittings and furnishings."

But he says the number one thing buyers should be concerned with is the location, taking into account travel to work, leisure activities, and friends and family.

Staged furniture is also a trap for young players, says Ms Griffiths.

"Most people just can't make it look the same. As soon as they walk in with all their furniture, it's not the same."

Take a tape measure to see how big the spaces are versus your own furniture, and compare what is currently in your bedroom versus a staged bedroom to help keep your head out of the clouds.

Don't fixate on things that bug you in your current home

Only compare your current home to a potential new one if helpful, Ms Moore says.

"When we're looking at a new home, we're often easily distracted by the one or two features in our current home that bug us," she says.

"For example, you may lament the lack of bench space in your own kitchen and so you measure all prospective homes by the bench space."

She says there's likely plenty about the current home that does work and you do love, "so make sure you don't swap one bugbear for another".

Keeping a handy list on your phone of what you love about your current property will help when inspecting others.

Ask the right questions

Have questions ready for the agent to help keep you focused, says Mr Harvey.

Ask about:

Comparable sales in the area

Comparable sales in the area Features of the home the current owners really like

Features of the home the current owners really like Property quirks; for example, rosella birds (they're loud!) landing on the balcony or quiet neighbours

Property quirks; for example, rosella birds (they're loud!) landing on the balcony or quiet neighbours What has been renovated and what might need repairs.

"The agents have a duty of disclosure. If the owner or the agent who has reasonable cause to know of something that is wrong with the property or if a murder has taken place, for example, they are under obligation to disclose that," he says.

But the agent can only disclose what the seller has told them, says Ms Griffiths, which isn't always everything and remember, the agent doesn't have your best interests at heart, says Mr Harvey.

Do your own digging and engage the advice of other experts where you can.

For example, we invited a builder friend to a house inspection so he could help answer some questions we had around past renovations.

Stick to your budget and don't get FOMO

Before you walk through an open home, know your budget and never go over it, warns Ms Griffiths.

"Make sure you know your budget and what you are prepared to pay for a property before you walk in," she says.

Mr Harvey says a fear of missing out often drives buyers to pay more than they intended to.

"Don't have a fear of missing out, thinking, 'Oh gosh, I've been waiting for a property in this area, I need this place' and then spill your guts to the agent," she says.

"It doesn't matter how many people walk in or what the agent says, know your walk-away price and understand there is always going to be another house."

Write it all down

Remember, property hunting can be a blur when you're in the thick of it.

So take notes on each place you see and compare them against your checklist.

If you see a feature you really love, Ms Moore says, write it down.

It could be the deciding factor if you end up choosing between multiple properties.