Tips for Buying a Home

Scripps Howard News Service

• Shop around for a mortgage that suits your needs. No- or low-down-payment loans are available. Fannie Mae Foundation provides mortgage information at 1-800-611-9566.

• Do your homework. A homebuyer's kit and a list of local housing counseling services from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are available online at www.hud.gov.

• Get an independent inspection of the home you want to buy.

• Find a real estate agent and mortgage broker you are comfortable with. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

• Check out the neighborhoods you like by visiting at different times of day and night to get a feel for the community.

• Look for neighborhoods with good resale potential. For example, even if you do not plan to start a family, being close to good schools can enhance the home's value.

Sources: Fannie Mae Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp., zipRealty Inc.

(Contact the Ventura County Star in California at www.insidevc.com)