Mortgage rates remain low and home values are stable or increasing in most communities.

A September 2015 poll Nearly 90 percent of Americans consider home ownership to be at least somewhat important, according to NeighborWorks America. These guidelines are from NeighborWorks America to help you ensure success in home ownership.

1. Seek professional assistance.

A meeting with a non-profit housing counselor is the best way to find out everything you need to know about purchasing a home. Find a professional who is certified to explain the differences in mortgages and interest rates, credit scores and loan approval. They can also help you determine how much down payment you need and what size home you can afford.

“The housing market is tough right now, with fewer homes for sale on the market than usual, and new mortgage rules and many mortgage products to choose,”Marietta Rodriguez, vice-president for homeownership at NeighborWorks America, said: “To be in the strongest position to make an offer that is accepted, consumers have to be prepared. That’s where initial consultation with a housing counselor is vital, even before meeting with other professionals involved in the process.”

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2. Make a budget.

Smart buyers approach home ownership with a budget. However, surveys reveal that only one-third of potential buyers have one. Begin with a budget that covers potential changes in commuting costs and home maintenance expenses, as well as life changes such as becoming parents or paying for college. “Once all the numbers are on the table, it’s easier to see what type of home suits a family’s budget and needs, what might be necessary financial trade-offs and what could be a direct line to trouble,”Rodriguez.

3. Be determined, not desperate.

It is possible to lose out on the right home if you win. A bidding war can make it harder to find the right home and could also limit your budget. Sellers know that desperate buyers might avoid inspection contingencies.

“Forgoing a home inspection to move up a place in the bidding process could be costly down the road if problems and defects with the home arise. NeighborWorks recommends that homebuyers have a home inspection, and know as much as possible about the inside of a home as the outside,”Rodriguez added Rodriguez