Step #1: Look into First Time Buyer programs. Call the county, town and municipality where your interested in living and ask. Step#2: Read ALL the literature you get AND follow the directions - step-by-step. If there isn’t any First Time Buyer program: Your first step should be to get pre-approved for the mortgage. Arrange for an appointment with a loan officer at a savings & loan or a federal credit union. These lenders tend to have lower fees and rates than mortgage companies or full service banks. Bring all the applicable information about any open and closed loans. You should be as honest as possible. Ask about a 30 years or longer, fixed-rate, positive amortization, no pre-payment penalty, open-end mortgage. This means: You have 30 years or more to pay the mortgage. It has an interest rate which never changes through the term of that mortgage. Some of the payment will always be applied to the principal amount of the mortgage It can be paid off at any time without any penalty. And it can be paid off at any time. Step #4: After getting pre-approved, take a ride through those areas where you can comfortably afford to make those mortgage payments. Make notes of the "For Sale", "Sale" and "For Sale by Owner" signs in those areas. Ca;; those people to make appointments to see those properties. IF you meet an agent you feel comfortable working with, continue working with that agent. He/She should be able to get you through the great majority of those properties you're interested in seeing. Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Sources: My wonderful family! In the real estate business over 34 years in PA. My wonderful coaches & mentors. Yes, after all these years I continue having them in my corner! THE ABSOLUTE BEST, MOST WONDERFUL real estate investment group in the world, which I was very proud to be a member of! "THE University of Hard Knocks" also known as "life's valuable lessons".

Look for a house and keep it. That means, plan to grow old in it. Don't overbuy., buy only what you really need.