You can find out by asking yourself some questions:

• Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)?
• Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?
• Is my current income reliable?
• Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
• Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?
• Do I have money saved for a down payment?
• Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you are probably ready to buy your own home.

Start by thinking about your situation. Are you ready to buy a home? How much can you afford in a monthly mortgage payment? How much space do you need? What areas of town do you like? After you answer these questions, make a "To Do" list and start doing casual research. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the "Homes" section of the newspaper.

The two don't really compare at all. The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for housing.

Your home should fit the way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to the whole family. Before you begin looking at homes, make a list of your priorities - things like location and size. Should the house be close to certain schools? your job? to public transportation? How large should the house be? What type of lot do you prefer? What kinds of amenities are you looking for? Establish a set of minimum requirements and a 'wish list." Minimum requirements are things that a house must have for you to consider it, while a "wish list" covers things that you'd like to have but aren't essential.

Select a community that will allow you to best live your daily life. Many people choose communities based on schools. Do you want access to shopping and public transportation? Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or do you prefer the peace and quiet of a rural community? When you find places that you like, talk to people that live there. They know the most about the area and will be your future neighbors. More than anything, you want a neighborhood where you feel comfortable.

You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or the local schools. Your real estate agent may also be knowledgeable about schools in the area.

Contact the local chamber of commerce for promotional literature or talk to your real estate agent about welcome kits, maps, and other information. You may also want to visit the local library. It can be an excellent source for information on local events and resources, and the librarians will probably be able to answer many of the questions you have.

The total amount of the previous year's property taxes is usually included in the listing information. If it's not, ask the seller for a tax receipt or contact the local assessor's office. Tax rates can change from year to year, so these figures may be approximate.

Many of your questions should focus on potential problems and maintenance issues. Does anything need to be replaced? What things require ongoing maintenance (e.g., paint, roof, HVAC, appliances, carpet)? Also ask about the house and neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues. Be sure the seller's or real estate agent's answers are clear and complete. Ask questions until you understand all of the information they've given. Making a list of questions ahead of time will help you organize your thoughts and arrange all of the information you receive.

If possible, take photographs of each house: the outside, the major rooms, the yard, and extra features that you like or ones you see as potential problems. And don't hesitate to return for a second look.

There isn't a set number of houses you should see before you decide. Visit as many as it takes to find the one you want. On average, homebuyers see 15 houses before choosing one. Just be sure to communicate often with your real estate agent about everything you're looking for. It will help avoid wasting your time.

It's not required, but it's a good idea. Following the inspection, the home inspector will be able to answer questions about the report and any problem areas. This is also an opportunity to hear an objective opinion on the home you'd like to purchase and it is a good time to ask general, maintenance questions.

To best prepare for your appointment, take a few moments to think about your lifestyle. Do you have pets and/or children? Do you entertain? If so, where? Do you like a formal or casual look? These and other similar questions will help to guide the Design Consultant in recommending the appropriate products and/or finishes for your new home.

Please feel free to bring fabric swatches from your furniture, pillows, photographs from home design magazines, artwork or area rugs. Try magazines such Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Sunset, House Beautiful, In Style or Metropolitan Home. These samples will help create a starting point for you to choose design and color for your flooring, cabinetry, countertops, fireplaces and surrounds. Your samples will stimulate design ideas for you and your Design Consultant.

During your design appointment, you will choose the cabinets, carpet, carpet pad, countertops, tile, vinyl, appliances, kitchen sink, kitchen faucet and light fixtures for your new home. There are many options and upgrades available to personalize your home to reflect your lifestyle.

You can expect to meet with your Design Consultant a minimum of two times.  The first appointment will last approximately 1.5 to 3 hours.  The Design Consultant will use this time to review your contract, get to know you, your lifestyle, your likes/dislikes - everything that is important to assist them in designing the perfect home for you.  The second appointment can last from 3 hours up to 5 or 6 hours depending on the size of your home and the options available for your floor plan.  During this appointment, your Design Consultant will be presenting a design solution to you based on your wants and lifestyle needs.

The wood surfaces in your home don’t have to match, but should complement each other. Sometimes a dark wood and a light wood look better than trying to match wood stain colors exactly. Let your Design Consultant help you determine the best combination.

Which product do you absolutely love and which one could you do without? If you love the countertop because of its color and easy maintenance, we'll find a tile to complement it. It's easy to love many items, but impossible to make them all work together. It's always difficult to make a big decorating decision in a couple of hours. Your Design Consultant is available to help answer your questions and make the best selection decisions for your lifestyle.

1. FLOORING
2. CABINETS
3. APPLIANCES
4. COUNTERTOPS
5. FIXTURES (LIGHTING, PLUMBING, DOOR HARDWARE)

The cost of upgrades or options may be added on to your home mortgage so it is not necessary to take cash out of pocket. Your mortgage interest rate is usually lower than other kinds of financing options such as credit cards. Your mortgage interest is also usually tax deductible.

Products and workmanship are covered under builder and/or manufacturer warranties.

If you choose to upgrade later, you may potentially pay for the labor twice, and you may also have to pay an additional removal fee. Personalizing your home at this time provides peace of mind and convenience because selections are already installed and ready for your use.

You have access to a professional designer to assist with your home selections.

Total Upgrade or Option Amount	*Total Cost After 5 Years
$ 5,000	$1,996
$10,000	$3,992
$15,000	$5,988
$25,000	$9,980
$30,000	$11,975
$40,000	$15,967