Jay Mattlin, Real Estate Broker with Key Realty

For years, many people have been waiting for the right moment to finally score a deal in the housing market. Well, according to a recent yahoo!finance report, now may be a good time to get yourself a better deal!

Prices for new homes dropped in nearly one-third of the country's largest cities last quarter — a sign that the premium buyers have long paid for new construction may finally be easing in some areas.

So if you've been eyeing new construction, this might sound like great news. But as with most housing market stories, there's more to it than meets the eye.

There are opportunities out there, especially in certain markets and situations. But finding a genuine "deal" on a new build may take more effort, strategy, and local knowledge than simply scrolling the latest listing prices.

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Don't Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move

These days, you're going to want to get your price right when you get ready to sell your house. Honestly, it's more important than ever. Why? While you may want to list high just to see what happens, that's a plan that can easily backfire, and it's going to cost you in today's market.

And the risk isn't just missing out on offers, it's missing out on the move you needed to make in the first place.

The Real Pitfall of Overpricing

Many homeowners remember what their neighbor's house sold for a few years...

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When people start imagining their next home, their "wish list" of what they want it to have usually includes things like the number of bedrooms and baths, a particular style of home, maybe a yard…or definitely not a yard for those who'd rather avoid mowing. Some buyers dream about fully updated kitchens and bathrooms, while others are perfectly happy with a fixer-upper so they can make it their own.

Having an actual list of wants and must-haves is smart. It keeps you (and the process) focused, and helps you know where you can bend and where you need to draw the line.

There are common themes, but no two lists are exactly alike. Even couples buying together often have wildly different visions—which is one of the many reasons why real estate agents joke about being part-time therapists as they help partners negotiate their wishlists.

But one thing the vast majority of buyers agree on and tops the list of must-haves might surprise you—it's safety.