Buyers          Sellers          Renters         Want more info?

Finding a place to live – a place to call home – involves some of the most important choices you will ever make. Contact a REALTOR® to learn more about preparing yourself for your housing search and the options that are available to you in your community.

There are a number of programs available to assist you as you prepare yourself to find housing. These programs fall into four general categories:

1. Housing counseling and homebuyer education: Whether you ultimately buy or rent, it is critical that you understand your finances, what it takes to buy a home, and the benefits and costs of renting versus buying. There are housing counseling agencies and homebuying information in most communities across the nation.

2. Affordable housing: As you search for the best housing available to you, it is important to know the programs that make the housing you need and want more affordable. For more information talk to a REALTOR® or learn more about housing affordability programs at this Web site.

3. Downpayment: If you are purchasing a home, you will need a downpayment and funds to complete the sale. A REALTOR® can help you understand what you will need and the sources for assistance if you need it.

4. Financing: Unless you are prepared to pay cash for a home, you will need to secure financing to purchase a home. A REALTOR® can help you understand the basics of financing or will refer you to a lender for more information. In addition, there are many lending programs designed to assist you in meeting your financing needs.

Not Sure Whether to Rent or Buy?

There are many things to consider when making this decision whether to rent or buy your next home.  The National Association of Realtors®’ website has many different resources to help you with your decision.  Please visit their site at: www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg301

Ginnie Mae is a government organization whose goal is to help you better understand the homebuying process, among other things.  If you are interested in learning more about homeownership, please visit their site at:
http://ginniemae.gov/rent%5Fvs%5Fbuy/rent%5Fvs%5Fbuy.asp?section=Search

Need to crunch the numbers?  Try visiting Ginnie Mae’s “Buying vs. Renting” calculator:
www.ginniemae.gov/rent_vs_buy/rent_vs_buy_calc.asp?Section=YPTH

BUYERS: Search our Northern Fairfield County listings!

10 Steps to Home Ownership

How Do I Know What I Want?

Wish vs. Reality List  (.pdf)

Why use a REALTOR®: 
www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/why_use.html

NAR’s resource for buyers:
www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/Pages/PrepHomeownership?OpenDocument

Home Comparison Chart  (.pdf)

The "Home Affordability" Calculator

Fannie Mae's FREE step-by-step guides towards home ownership

Moving?

Household Toolkit

SELLERS

Home Seller’s Checklist [.pdf]

Still Looking for Information?