Getting an idea as to the price of the home you can afford is an important first step in the home buying process.

Determining what you think you may be able to afford is one thing; finding out what the banks are likely to lend is another!

Understand the financial differences between renting and homeownership.

Discover the potential tax savings associated with homeownership.

Understand the costs associated with refinancing your home and consider all of your options if facing a financial crisis.

Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage.

Finding an affordable home loan with fair terms and reasonable costs is a crucial step towards achieving homeownership. Unfortunately, some lenders offer predatory loans that take advantage of consumers. This brochure identifies the warning signs of predatory loans and offers you tips on how to avoid them. It also provides a list of questions you should ask when shopping for a loan. Produced jointly by NAR and the Center for Responsible Lending.

The Federal Housing Administration has made significant improvements to its mortgage insurance programs. Many aspects of the FHA application process have been streamlined to be more user-friendly and efficient. This brochure outlines the changes to FHA, how to qualify for an FHA mortgage, and other resources available from FHA, HUD, and NAR. Produced by NAR, the FHA, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Practice making good financial decisions at Credit-Power, an animated Web site with characters and real-world scenarios!