"It is the right time in my life to buy a home?" Hundreds of thousands of Americans ask themselves that every year. There's no easy answer. Emotions, family and personal reasons all come into play in any home-buying decision. Our advice, be honest with yourself and make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

No one knows what the future holds for you, your family, your job or your finances. But we can help you understand what you're going to encounter when you embark on the sometimes-difficult journey toward the American Dream of owning a home.

When you get that urge to buy a house, the first thing to do is step back and ask whether it makes more sense to keep renting for a while. If you still want to buy, you need to figure out how much home you can afford and wheather you can find a home in your budget.