Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. 1. Location.Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would… [Read more…]

Buying a new home is one of the most important decisions that you can make. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed, buying a house doesn’t have to be a painful ordeal. If you know the details and understand what you’re getting into, the process can be enjoyable and educational. As you look for your dream… [Read more…]

What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind. You can print this list for reference. 1. Neighborhoods What neighborhoods do you prefer? 2. Schools What school systems do you want to be… [Read more…]

1. Investigate assistance programs. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov. 2…. [Read more…]

1. Research before you lookDecide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing. 2. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use… [Read more…]