Find out if you are ready to buy a home by asking yourself these questions:

1. Do I have a reliable source of income?

• Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?
• Do I have a good record of paying my bills? (How's my credit?)
• Do I have few outstanding long-term debts?
• Do I have money saved for a down payment?
• Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?
  

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

2. Determine your housing needs before you begin your search.

Your home should fit the way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to the whole family. Before you begin looking at homes, make a list of your priorities - things like location and size. Should the house be close to certain schools? your job? to public transportation? How large should the house be? What kinds of amenities are you looking for? Establish a set of minimum requirements and a "wish list." Minimum requirements are things that a house must have for you to consider it, while a "wish list" covers things that you'd like to have but aren't essential.

3. Begin the process by consulting a REALTOR®

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