8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Budget Basics Work Sheet\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
8 Ways to Improve Your Credit\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Your Property Wish List\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
Tips on Buying in a Tight Market\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
The Pros and Cons of Condos\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
5 Reasons You Need a REALTOR\u00ae\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR\u00ae\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026

10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
How Big a Mortgage Can I Afford?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
5 Common First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
10 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.

10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying\u2026\u2026\u2026..
How High Tech Is Your Home?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Hidden Home Defects to Watch For\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
What Your Home Inspection Should Cover\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
How Comprehensive Is Your Home Warranty?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.

5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
10 Questions to Ask Your Condo Board\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
10 Questions to Ask Your Lender\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
10 Things a Lender Needs From You\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026

Choices That Will Affect Your Loan\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
5 Things to Understand About Homeowners Insurance\u2026\u2026..
10 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs\u2026\u2026
5 Things to Understand About Title Insurance\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026. Common Closing Costs for Buyers\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026. What to Keep From Your Closing\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026 Tips for Packing Like a Pro\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.

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Understanding Agency\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
5 Things to Do Before You Sell\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
Tips for Holding a Yard Sale\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.

7 Steps to Preparing for an Open House\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
10 Ways to Make Your Home Irresistible at an Open House..
7 Terms to Watch for in a Purchase Contract\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
What You\u2019ll Net at Closing\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Moving Tips for Sellers\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
6 Items to Have on Hand for the New Owners\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026

20 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
What Is Appraised Value?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
Does Moving Up Make Sense?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
Remodeling That Pays\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026...
12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..

Tips on How to Price Your Home\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
Open House Tips\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026
17 Service Providers You\u2019ll Need When You Sell\u2026..
6 Forms You\u2019ll Need to Sell Your Home\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026...
Is Your Buyer Qualified?\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026

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1.Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you\u2019d like to spend, use receipts to
create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of
this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc.,
as well as predictable costs such as rent.

2.Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than
36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges
between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment
debt\u2014car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards\u2014down to between 8
percent and 10 percent of your total income.

3.Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing downeverything you spend for one month. You\u2019ll probably see some great ways to save.

5.Save for a downpayment. Although it\u2019s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down\u2014or even less in some cases\u2014you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

6.Create a house fund. Don\u2019t just plan on saving whatever\u2019s left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.