Assess Your Finances
It's important to know what you can afford before wasting time and energy house-hunting.

• Compare buying with renting;
• Learn about interest rates;
• Learn what lenders consider as income;
• Understand the impact of your present debt payments;
• Calculate the amount of your down payment; and
• Figure out how much you can actually afford.

About Mortgages
Shopping for the right loan is as important as choosing the right house. Your challenge is to select the loan terms that are most favorable to your situation.

• Basic components of a mortgage loan;
• Fixed-rate mortgages;
• Adjustable-rate mortgages;
• Government loans and programs;
• Balloon loans; and
• Other affordable housing loans.

• Pre-application steps;
• The information your lender needs at application;
• Decisions you make at application;
• Application costs you pay; and
• Application legal requirements.
• Steps your lender follows;
• How the lender views your application; and
• What to do if your application is denied.

Closing
Taking the mystery out of negotiating and closing the deal on your new home with practical tips and checklists.

• What is closing;
• What takes place before closing;
• What happens at the closing meeting;
• Closing costs;
• Closing documents you receive; and
• Closing-related tax tips.

Refinancing
Refinancing involves paying off your current loan and getting a new first mortgage. In deciding if this is an attractive solution, you should first consider:

• "If" and "when" refinancing is right for you;
• Building home equity faster; and
• The process and costs of refinancing; and
• Choosing a lender.