Hope this isn't a redundant question, but scanning this forum didn't show me a direct answer.

I've had a bunch of domains, but always found them unowned and registered them. However I now am going to be purchasing a domain name from someone and don't have a clue about the proper way to transfer it from his ownership to mine.

Is if just as simple as initiating a domain name transfer from his registrar to mine? Or are there some voodoo chants I need to know first?

Thanks.

Transfer of registrar is separate from change/transfer of ownership (registrant) -- normally you can't do both of these at the same time.

If the current registrar allows registrant changes at no charge, then the easiest way to do this would be for the seller to change the registrant details to you first, while the domain is still in his account at the current registrar; then, once those changes are complete, you can initiate the registrar transfer through your preferred registrar (which should automatically place the domain name in your account once the transfer is done).