Do you have a source of income and have been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years? Is the income reliable?

Do you have a good credit and a good history of paying your bills?

Do you have few long-term loans, like car payments?

Do you have money for a down payment?

Can you pay a mortgage every month, plus additional living costs?

If you can answer "yes" to most of these questions, you are probably ready to purchase your own home.

How do you begin the process of purchasing an home?
A good idea is to start by thinking about your situation; Are you ready to buy a house? How much of a mortgage can you afford? What size of house do you need? Do you have. Or plan on having children? What areas of do you like? After you answer these questions, make a list and start doing casual house search. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the “Homes" section of the newspaper.

How do you select the right realtor?
You can start by asking any family and friends if they can recommend an agent. Gather a list of different Real Estate agents and talk to each realtor before choosing one. Look for a real estate agent who listens well and understands your house needs, and whose judgment you trust. The ideal Real Estate agent knows the area well and has resources and contacts to help you in your search. Overall, you want to choose an Real Estate agent that makes you feel comfortable and can provide all the knowledge and services you need. Real Estate Listings has a excellent sources for realtors in the area.

What should you look at when deciding on a community in ?
You should select a community in that will allow you to best live your daily life. If you have kids, a community with good schools is very important. Is access to shopping and public transportation important? Many communities have first-rate shopping center and easily accessible buses and other public transportation. Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or would you prefer the peace and quiet of a rural community? Would you like to live in the fast paced downtown area or would you rather live in one the outlining suburbs. When you find a area that you like, talk to people that live there and ask them why they enjoy living in the community. They know the most about the area and could be your future neighbors. The most important thing is that you want a neighborhood where you feel comfortable in.

How can you get information on Schools?
You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or if you have a specific school, you can contact them directly. Your real estate agent should also have knowledge about the schools in that area.

How many homes should I look at before selecting on one?
There is not an exact number of homes you should look at before you decide. Visit as many as it takes to find the one you want. On the average, homebuyers see about 15 houses before choosing one. Just be sure to talk often with your real estate agent about everything you're looking for.

What is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a loan obtained to purchase any real estate. The "mortgage" is a lien (a legal claim) on the home or property that secures the promise that you pay the debt. Mortgages have two features in common: principal and interest.

What is included in your monthly mortgage payment?
The monthly mortgage payment pays off principal and interest of the mortgage. Some lenders will also include local real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, and mortgage insurance in your mortgage payment.

What are factors that affect my mortgage payments?
The amount of the down payment, the size of the mortgage loan, the interest rate, the length of the repayment term and payment schedule will all affect the size of your mortgage payment.