HOME BUYING—A CHECKLIST We want you to buy a home if you think it is right for you. Harold owns the house he lives in, and Helaine loves her co-op. If you follow the basic rules below, it can be a smart financial decision: Get your debt under control, and save up your emergency fund. Save up as close to a 20 percent down payment as you can. Shop around (and get preapproved) for a fifteen- or thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage. Consider what you really want and need in a home, and stay consistent with your budget. Location, location, location. Enjoy your new home.
