BUYING A HOME 

STEP 1:
Contact Your Local HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency

Your closest HUD-approved housing counseling agency is a call or click away.

STEP 2:
Determine How Much You Can Afford

Find out if you're ready to buy a new home now, or what you need to do to get there.
- Get a close look at your financial picture
- Understand your credit score and how to improve it
- Create a realistic budget that takes into account the costs of owning a home

STEP 3:
Prepare for Purchase

There's a lot to know and a lot to prepare for - but knowledge is power! Your HUD-approved housing counselor will take you through it step by step. You'll soon understand how to make the mortgage process work for you.
- Different types of mortgages
- Mortgage terms you need to know
- The difference between prequalification and pre-approval
- Home appraisals
- Applying for a loan
- Understanding down payments

STEP 4:
Shopping for Your New Home

This is the fun part! But before you go on open houses, you need to know what to shop for. You've got a lot of choices to make, and a lot to take into consideration here.
- Target price range
- Location of your home
- What type of home is best for you
- Weighing needs vs. wants

STEP 5:
The Keys to a Successful Closing

This is what you've been waiting for - but there's a lot to do before you sign on the dotted line. Your HUD-approved housing counselor will make sure you're totally prepared for the big day.
- What to expect at closing
- All necessary documents and paperwork
- Paying the down payment and closing costs

Thinking About Buying a New Home? HUD Can Help!

Discover the steps in the homebuying process - and why your first step should be to consult with a HUD-certified housing counselor.