Sponsored News: Mortgage rates remain low and home prices are rising or stable in many communities.

A September 2015 pollNeighborWorks America found that almost 90 percent of homeowners consider home ownership very important. These guidelines are from NeighborWorks America to ensure your success in home ownership.

1. Professional help is available.

Meeting with a counselor from a non-profit organization is the best way for you to learn everything you need about buying a house. 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 is vice president of homeownership and lending for NeighborWorks America. “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. A budget should include changes in commute costs, home maintenance expenses, and life changes like becoming a parent or paying college tuition. “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.

You could end up losing out on the home you want. Bidding wars could make it harder to find the right home and can also push your budget limits. 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 was also added.