Where do you want to live?

Buying real estate is a complex matter and can be especially confusing for the first-time homebuyer. Do yourself a favor and learn as much about the process as you can before you begin. There are plenty of resources on the Internet, and most real estate offices will have pamphlets to explain things in plain language. You may also be able to research the real estate process by attending community-sponsored classes, or you can take a look at books like Home Buying For Dummies by Eric Tyson and Ray Brown, (IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.)

Homeownership plays a vital role in our society. A home is where you can chart your children’s height on the walls and let the dog out in the backyard, sit by the fireplace and build a tree house with your children. It’s your property and it belongs to you, and your home is a part of a community to which you contribute and strive to make a better place. Indeed, owning a home continues to be a goal worth pursuing for the vast majority of Americans.