[Wandatime]

We did it both ways as well. The first visit was a "lifestyle visit" and lasted four days. It went by incredibly fast and we were mostly lost. The second time our fabulous estate agent, Colleen Ginn-Wotring, lent us her rental villa and we stayed a week. Between visits one and two, I absolutely memorized the map from top to bottom and front to back. I also memorized all the house plans. My husband and I got on the website every night checking the models and houses for sale. Hey, it was a fun way to spend winter evenings! That second visit really jelled things for us. We looked at quite a few homes, and narrowed in on what we really wanted. Colleen called us a few months later and told us "our perfect house in our perfect location" was going on the market the next day. We bought it sight unseen.

PS -- I agree with everything Tomwed said. I didn't do all that but I have superpowers. Just kidding. I wish I'd done all that.