My-own-home.org

You can own your own home, too!
Learn how you can own your own home, too!
Links
First Time Home Buyers Programs

HUD Insured Home Loans 
Rural Development Low and Moderate Income Homebuyer Program
Kansas First Time Home Buyers Program
Habitat For Humanity
Lawrence Community Housing Trust
HUD Approved Down Payment Programs
Kansas City Homebuyer and Home Repair Programs

Should You Buy a Home

Freddie Mac:  Is Home Ownership Right for You?
Phoenix Real Estate Blog:  Is Home Ownership Right for You?
Questions Couples Should Consider
Suite 101:  Is it Possible for a Person with a Disability to Own a Home?
Newbuyer.com:  Is Buying a Home Right for Me? 
 


Home Ownership vs. Renting

Suze Orman: Rent or Buy?
Ginnie Mae: Rent Vs. Buy
Home Buyer's Information Center: Rent or Buy?
Advantages and Disadvantages to Renting or Buying
Home Sweet Home: Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeownership


Affordibility Calculators

CNN Money Home Affordability Calculator
Yahoo! Affordability Calculator
MSN Home Affordability Calculator
Ginnie Mae Home Affordability Calculator (Includes Rent vs Buy Calculator) 
Lending Tree Affordability Calculator 



Home Loan Preapproval

Home Loan Preapproval Mistakes to Avoid
Advantages of Home Loan Preapproval
How to Recognize a Predatory Lender
When is the Best Time to Lock in a Loan Rate?
Eight Reasons to get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan
What is the Difference Between Being Pre-Approved for a Home Loan and Being Pre-Qualified?
Credit.com: How to Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan


Credit Scores

Wikipedia article on Credit Scores
Credit Scores: What You Need to Know
Your Credit Score: How It All Adds Up
Consumer Union.org:  What is a Credit Score
Credit Score Myths
How Stuff Works:  How Credit Scores Work
Five Factors that Determine Your Credit Score
Bankrate.com: Credit Scores Explained
Consumer Reports:  Which Credit Scores Do Lenders Use
AARP:  Credit Scores: Before You Borrow
What is the Difference Between FICO Scores and Vantage Scores


Credit Reporting Agencies

Equifax
Experian
Transunion


Tips to Improve Your Credit

MSN: Seven Fast Fixes for Your Credit Scores
15 Ways to Establish and Improve Your Credit History
MyFICO.com: Improving Your FICO Credit Scores
About.com: How to Improve Your Credit Scores When Home Buying
The Federal Reserve: Five Tips to Improve Your Credit Score
A Six Step Plan to Improve Your Credit Score
Yahoo! Real Estate: Improve Your Credit Score
QuickenLoans: Improve Your Credit Score
How Stuff Works: Improve Your Credit Score
Fair Isaac Corp.: How to Improve Your Credit Score
Consumer Reports:  How to Improve Your Credit Score
About.com: 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Credit
Consumer Action: Improve Your Credit-Put Bad Credit Behind You


Online Home Budgeting Tools

Mint.com (highly recommended)
Kiplinger Home Budgeting Worksheet
Buxfer
Geezeo
Quicken Online


How to Find a Realtor

About.com: How to Find a Realtor
About.com: Questions to Ask a Prospective Real Estate Agent
Buyers: Questions to Ask a Realtor
Home Buyers Info Center: Finding a Real Estate Agent
Freddie Mac: Find a Real Estate Agent


House Hunting Tips

Freddie Mac: House Hunting
Realtor.com: House Hunting Tips
Home Buying Institue: House Hunting Checklists and Tips
Tips for First Time Home Buyers
InfoTrak: House Hunting Tips
Home Buying Institute: House Hunting Tips for First Time Home Buyers
Keys to My Home: House Hunting Tips
State Farm House Hunting Checklist


Multiple Listing Services

MLS.com
Realtor.com
South East Kansas MLS


Home Price Negotiation Tips

US News: The 7 Biggest Home Buying Negotiation Blunders
Home Buyers Information Center: The Art of Negotiation
Selling Price Negotiation Tips for Buyers
Freddie Mac: Negotiating a Sale Price
Bankrate.com: Haggling Down Prices Like a Pro
LA Times:  Smart Buyers Know How to Negotiate
Lending Tree: Negotiating the Best Price


Home Inspection Tips

About.com Home Inspection Checklist
HUD: For Your Protection, Get an Inspection
HUD: 10 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
Sequim Real Estate: Home Inspection Tips
American Society of Home Inspectors Buyers Frequently Asked Questions


Home Insurance Tips

American Family Home Owners Insurance Learning Center
American Family Condo Owners Insurance Learning Center
Consumer Action: Homeowners Insurance Guide
HUD: 12 Ways to Lower Your Insurance Premiums
About.com: Home Owners Insurance Tips
Confused.com:  Home Insurance Buyers Guide


Title Insurance Tips

Seven Title Insurance Tips
Expert Real Estate Tips: Title Insurance

Home Maintenance Tips

State Farm Seasonal Home Maintenance Tips
All About Home.com
Home Smart.org
DoItYourself.com
DIYNetwork.com Annual Home Maintenance Tips
YouTube.com