Owning a home is a cherished part of the American dream. Buying that home also may be the largest financial investment you'll ever make.

That's why it's so important to get financially ready to buy and take care of a home, and to feel confident about stepping into the shoes of a homeowner.

• Financial Planning for a Home of Your Own Brochure (PDF | 1,286KB)

Planning

• Getting Ready
• Shopping for a Mortgage
• The Best House for Your Money
• I Bought a House — Now What?

Mortgages

• Shopping for a Mortgage
• A Mortgage in Retirement May Not be Such a Bad Idea
• Is 2012 the Year That I Should Pay Off My Home Mortgage?
• 6 Tips on Refinancing Your Mortgage
• When Does It Make Sense to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
• I’m nearing retirement and still have a mortgage. Should I consider paying off the mortgage with money from my investments?
• I just received an inheritance of $200,000. Should I use this money to pay off my house?
• My bank wants to re-write my home equity line of credit as a 30-year mortgage at five percent. Should I accept?
• It doesn't seem possible to refinance my mortgage because I am "under water." What can I do to improve my situation?
• Should I pay off my house or research alternative investments?
• Is it worth the risk to skip one or two mortgage payments and how bad of an impact will it have on our credit?
• Should I take money out of my IRA to pay off my mortgage?
• Are we better off refinancing to a 10-year fixed loan or using cash to pay off the mortgage?

• How to Choose the Right Mortgage for You (Mp3)

Renovations

• Be Smart about Renovations in a Down Home Market
• How to Fund the Home Improvement Project of Your Dreams
• Planning Tax Smart Home Improvements

• How to Maintain and Protect the Value of Your Home

Insurance

• Tips to Maximize Homeowner Coverage and Minimize Cost
• Homeowner’s Insurance Checklist

Additional Resources

• Saving Up for a Down Payment
• Should I pay my home equity loan off or just pay as much as I can each month?
• How to Appeal Your Property Taxes & Why You Should Consider It
• Buying a Home? Four Important Things to Consider
• Rent or Buy? What Should You Do?
• Planning on Buying a Home: Tips on Increasing Your Credit (FICO) Score
• Facing a Home Foreclosure? Protect Yourself from Scams
• Intra-family Loans Can Help Children Get a Home
• The Economics of Renting vs. Buying
• Does it make financial sense to borrow against a 403(b) account for a first time home purchase?
• I have an investment property that lost $50,000 in value. What are my options to compensate for this loss?
• Should I use the money from my rollover IRA to purchase my home?
• How can I convince our 401(k) plan administrator to let us withdraw money for the down payment on a house?
• How a Financial Planner Can Help You ... and How to Choose the Right One Brochure (PDF | 2.59MB)