To be competitive in today’s real estate market, you must come to the table ready to put your best foot forward—and we don’t mean in a Louboutin heel. If you’ve got ’em, do wear ’em, but sellers and lenders don’t care what you’re wearing if you don’t have the financial chops to back it up. Before viewing a single listing, here’s where we suggest you start… by investing in yourself. (And don’t worry, we’ll be with you every step of the way.)