1. Get your credit in order. Obtain a free copy of your credit report, verify its accuracy and immediately correct any errors. 

2. Start saving. Do you have enough for a down payment and closing costs?

3. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. If you have an IRA account, you may be able to use the funds you’ve saved to buy your home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal.

4. Learn how much you can afford. Talk with a mortgage lender to determine your comfort level with monthly payments and down payment requirements.  Your lender can also provide you with an estimate of your closing costs.

5. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

6.  Decide where you want to live. Compile a list of several neighborhoods, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, public transportation and safety.

7.  Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need in order to obtain a preapproval. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank statements.
 
8. Contact a REALTOR®. The sooner you contact a Realtor, the sooner we can assist you with the process.

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