Basic Buyer Information You Need To Know

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions - both financially and emotionally - you will make in your lifetime. If you're a first-time buyer, you're probably excited about purchasing your first home. Hhowever, you also may be a bit overwhelmed by everything involved.

The buying process involves several steps, from finding a REALTOR® to making an offer to closing the deal. Whether you're a first-time or experienced buyer, you'll find an array of information in this section that will assist you on your way to realizing your goal of homeownership.

• 1: A Short Guide to Real Estate Lingo and Acronyms

• 2: Calculate Your Income vs. Debt

• 3: Costs Associated with a Home Loan

• 4: Home Sweet Home: Shelter from Taxes

• 5: How a REALTOR Can Help

• 6: How Much Do I Have to Save to Buy a Home?

• 7: How to Choose a Home

• 8: How to Choose a Neighborhood

• 9: Making the Transition from Renting to Buying

• 10: Mortgage Basics

• 11: Negotiating to Yes

• 12: Tax Benefits of Home Ownership Are Almost Too Good to Be True

• 13: Terms and Conditions

• 14: The Basics of Making an Offer

• 15: The Bottom Line on Contract Negotiation

• 16: Understand Your Credit

• 17: Wait! Are You Buying the Right House?

• 18: What a REALTOR Can Do for You

• 19: What Are My Mortgage Options?

• 20: What Is Escrow?

• 21: Why Use a REALTOR?