There is a wealth of information available to help you determine your needs, identify features of the home you would like and how to go about making the right decisions. Most important, however, is making sure the information you receive is unbiased and accurate so you can decide for yourself whether you are ready for both the benefits and responsibilities of home ownership.

Owning a home isn't for everyone. For others, owning is a possibility, but not right now. Since buying a home requires an emotional, physical and financial commitment, you owe it to yourself to make sure you are ready before you allow yourself to be talked into it by someone who will directly benefit from that decision.

Once you have decided to make the commitment, CONGRATULATIONS! Now you’ll need to enroll in a class that will help guide you through the process of: selecting a real estate professional; shopping for a mortgage loan that is right for you; determining the type of housing that is most appropriate for your needs and wants; formulating questions that will help you make the right choices; and, selecting and purchasing your new home.

Since buying a home is one of the biggest decisions most people will ever make, be sure to arm yourself with the knowledge and resources that will greatly improve the experience and help you secure your financial future!

If you are interested in using H2O or other programs that offer assistance with your down payment and other closing costs, ask your mortgage professional or Realtor to provide a list of programs available in your area. Most programs will work directly with your mortgage officer to obtain the necessary documents and begin the process for determining your eligibility.