CHAPTER 1

ARE YOU READY TO BUY A HOME?

IS OWNING A HOME RIGHT FOR YOU?

HOW DO YOU BUY A HOME?

THE MORTGAGE PAYMENT AND OTHER COST

HOW MUCH CAN YOU PAY FOR YOUR HOUSE?

HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD?

CHAPTER 2

MANAGEING YOUR MONEY

PLANNING

PLANNING HOW TO USE YOUR MONEY

DEVELOPING A SPENDING PLAN AND GOAL

MAKING YOUR SPENDING PLAN

THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING

CHAPTER 3

UNDERSTANDING CREDIT

HOW IS YOUR CREDIT RATING?

CREDIT REPORT AGENCIES

WHAT IS A CREDIT SCORE?

IMPROVING YOUR CREDIT REPORT

WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CREDIT HISTORY

MANAGEING DEBT

IDENTITY THEFT

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

GETTING A MORTGAGE

MORTGAGE LOAN

WHO CAN GET A MORTGAGE LOAN?

AFFORDABILITY AND YOU

HOW MUCH WILL THE LENDER LOAN YOU?

SHOPPING FOR THE RIGHT LENDER

STRATEGIES FOR FINDING THE RIGHT LENDER

WORKING WITH THE LENDER

STEPS THE LENDER TAKES TO APPROVE YOU

YOUR RIGHTS AS A CUSTOMER

SHOPPING FOR A HOME

TIMELINE AND STEPS IN HOMEBUYING

HOMEBUYING TEAM

FINDING THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMES

FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME

HOUSE HUNTING

BUYING YOUR HOME

PURCHASE AND SALE

ESCROW

CLOSING

KEEPING YOUR HOME AND MANAGEING YOUR FINANCES

PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HOME

HOME SAFETY

SAVING ENERGY

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

REMOLDING AND MAJOR REPAIRS

INVESTING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

ASSET BUILDING

KEEPING RECORDS

TAXES AND INSURANCE

PROTECTING YOUR EQUITY

REPAYING YOUR MORTGAGE

COPING WITH HARDSHIPS