don't go out a buy a fancy new car or add debt to yourself.....

First thing to do is to contact a real estate professional. An experienced agent in your area will tell you exactly what you need to do to qualify for a loan( bring your credit score up, if you already qualify, etc.), they will find a loan for you, show you the available types of loan programs available to you and help you come to a decision as to which loan program best suits your needs, will find you a home in regards to your preferences and get you the absolute best deal available. This is what I do for all my clients so that nothing is up in the air about what they need to do and also it takes away a lot of stress for first time buyers like your self. Buying your first home should be a joyful experience, not a stressful one, that is why Realtors are available- to do all the hard work for you!.If you would like, I can get in contact with an agent in your area that works for Keller Williams to better assist you on your path to a new home.

John & Sarena Villaescusa
Owner/Realtor/Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Cell- 562-818-2671
Email- Johnv@kw.com
Website- http://www.VGroupHomes.com

Donny
In my opinion for anyone who is beginning to learn the Homebuying process the Hud site has excellent steps to review...Nine steps to buying a home

1. Figure out how much you can afford
2. Know your rights
3. Shop for a loan
4. Learn about homebuying programs
5. Shop for a home
6. Make an offer
7. Get a home inspection
8. Shop for homeowners insurance
9. Sign papers

and also has many resources/tools to begin learning the type of questions you need to ask when selecting a loan source and an RE Agent....http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/buying_a_home

If you would like to review the current Fed loan programs then this Fed gov. site is the place to look....You can get specific information, compare options, or take a short questionnaire to determine your eligibility for each program......http://www.govloans.gov/govloans_en.portal?_nfls=false&_…

If you just want to Browse Actual Foreclosures...You might wish to check out the Bank/Gov sites created to give the public access to view the Listed Foreclosures/Properties for sale and to provide information on the purchase process used plus much more information it's Free and updated constantly...Sites like..

.... http://www.wamuproperties.com/ .... http://www.hud.gov/homes/index.cfm

https://www.citimortgage.com/Mortgage/Oreo/SearchListing.do ...

The links to all of these Bank and Gov. sites can be found here.... http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/wiki/REO_Database_List.asp http://www.biggerpockets.com/bank-reo.html

If you ever need to find Public Records this search engine might come in handy.. http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/ ... to help find things like.... http://maps.bexar.org/imf/sites/cc_foreclosure_beta/jsp/laun…

When you decide to hire the services of an RE Agent to assist you in the process you will being deciding who to work with on what may be the largest financial obligation of your life so choosing wisely will be extremely important to you.

You need to inform yourself enough about your market and the process to be able to ask the questions necessary to ensure choosing a Professional who will work with you to attain your goals...Do not just hire an Agent, choose an Agent carefully and wisely, there are many available so give your choice the time it deserves as one of the most important decisions you may ever make...Use the internet, be informed....

Good hunting, Dunes

Only professional who can work with you 1st is a mortgage broker.

Credit scores need reviewed determined if you can qualify for a home loan. If your scores not where they should be 620 and above you will need fix those problems.

If you are approved need approx. 3.5% or more down payment.

Upon approval a letter will be sent to your selected real estate agent have approx. 60 days locate a home prior letter expiring.

Good luck

National Featured Realtor and Consultant, Texas Mortgage Loan Officer, Credit Repair Lecturer
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lynn911
Lynn911

http://www.lynn911.com

Hi Donny,

It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but if you take it one step at a time, you will be fine. As a first step, I would recommend that you meet with a Lender or Mortgage Broker to understand how much home you can afford based upon your income and credit rating.

Once you are armed with the knowledge of what your buying power is, you can begin looking at your target cities and towns. Use sites, like Trulia or Realtor.com so that you can begin to understand the price ranges within those cities. This step will help you understand where you want to focus your home search. A Realtor can also help you with this process.

Speak with your friends and family about possible referrals for both a Realtor and a loan officer. Another option is to use Trulia to find agents who specialize in the cities and towns you are interested in. Take a look at their profile and read through some of their blogs or answers to help you understand their knowledge of the market and their style. Narrow it down to a few agents, and interview them making certain to understand what they will do to help you through the process.

Once you have selected a Realtor, they should have an initial consultation with you where they will begin to explore your wish list for your home. Be prepared to let them know how many bedrooms you might like, square footage, single family, condo, townhome, fixer or updated, etc.

I sincerely wish you all the best as you begin the process of buying your first home. It is an exciting time.

April Tavares, GRI, ASP
DRE License #01742179
April@AprilTavares.com