Buying versus renting -- Qualifying yourself for a mortgage -- Calculating what you can afford -- Qualifying the neighborhood -- Searching for your home -- Deciding which house features are important -- Working with real estate agents and brokers -- Handling the emotional side of a home purchase -- Finances -- Explanation of mortgage basics -- Government agencies and the secondary mortgage market -- Additional sources of money -- VA guaranteed home loans -- The buying process -- The legal side of real estate -- The offer -- Appraisers, inspectors, and homeowners insurance -- The closing -- The future -- Enjoying your home -- Foreclosure and how to avoid it.