Go the long route when buying a home

In this modern age, people seemingly want to go from zero today to find a home to buy tomorrow - blissfully unaware that buying a home is, in fact, a journey. And it's a massive decision!
It is sensible to use all your senses literally and common sense when setting out to buy a residential property.

In these days of instant gratification, and ingrained impatience, it is always tempting for the buyer to take the shortest route to an outcome. That can often be a route with pitfalls. 
Once a decision is made to set about buying a house, the destination tends to become the focal point of the process, rather than the journey. Yet it is the journey that is absolutely crucial to a best result. 
Therefore, focus your attention on the journey.

See lots of houses
There is simply no short route to a good buy. So don't be stuck on one suburb. You must make the time to see lots of houses - preferably a handful of properties in each of several suburbs that appeal to you - before you rank them on your search list criteria.
The cornerstone of that process is show days- which allow you to explore a variety of properties while on this home-seeking journey. Even see those that don't appeal to you online to become familiar with prices. 
If you bought a house without visiting enough show days, I would go as far as to say that you have taken a risk - and  you're not well enough informed.

So, my advice is to go the long road. Don't buy immediately. The market is not about to run away from you.
Avoid the short cut. 
Given that buying a home is such a big purchase, as well as a big decision, it is wise to resist the short cut and rather experience the journey fully and properly. 
In doing so,  ensure that you become thoroughly informed on all current aspects and details of the area you are poised to buy in.
Feel out the buzz of your chosen neighbourhood/s; catch the wind; sniff the air; listen to the traffic; and smell the jasmine - because it just happens to be in blossom at this time of year.
In doing so, you will build up a profile of the area's 'personality' and establish whether or not it aligns with your and your family's lifestyle.

In a nutshell, make sure that you know precisely what the market circumstances and fundamentals are in the relevant suburb or area before you embark on the buy process. 
The more information you have, the better you will be positioned to ascertain the correct value of the home in question.