1.                  Look at your financial picture. How much do you make? How much do you owe? Do you have saving accounts or investments? Are your payments current? Do you know your credit score? (Get a free credit report if you don't.) What range of mortgage payments would you be comfortable with?

2.                  Take a field trip: Which neighborhoods or cities are your first, second, third choice? Do you want a new house? A vintage house? Something in between? What style of home do you prefer? Maybe a condominium or townhouse? Do you like the electricity of a busy neighborhood or the seclusion of a quiet one?

3.                  Find a Realtor you trust. I hope you choose me, of course! Your agent will guide you through the process from start to finish. Hire someone you can talk to easily. Someone who will listen to what you want, and tell you what you need to hear.

4.                  Investigate first-time home buyer programs. Most cities and counties offer special programs for first-time buyers who meet income guidelines. You can get a lower interest rate, help with the down payment, etc. Your Realtor can help you with this.

5.                  Talk to a loan officer. Your Realtor can introduce you to lenders who will interview you, check your credit scores, and discuss loan programs that will meet your needs. Talk to more than one lender. All mortgage-related requests made in a month count as one "hit" on your rating.

6.                  Determine your monthly payment. Your goal in working with the lender is to get an approval letter stating you qualify for a loan up to a specific amount, with monthly payments you can afford. Remember that loan isn't the only monthly expense you'll have. There's property tax (1 percent of assessed value in California), homeowner insurance, and mortgage insurance if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price. Your Realtor will give you Estimated Buyers Costs information.

7.                  Be realistic. Your Realtor will show you homes in your price range that meet your criteria, emailing links to listings you might like, and taking you to visit the ones that you like best. Share what you like and dislike about each home with your Realtor.

8.                  Listen to yourself. You'll know when you find a house that's right for you. Take a close look. Make a note of things you want to ask your Realtor about, or repairs or updating you would consider essential.

9.                  Prepare your offer.  Ask yourself: What is this house worth to me? Your Realtor will prepare your purchase offer, which includes the price you are offering and the terms of a loan acceptable to you. Ask for what you want. Ask for a home warranty. This is the start of negotiations. Provide a good-faith deposit, usually a check, along with that approval letter from a lender.

10.              Expect a counter offer. The negotiations continue, with the seller responding to your offer. Your Realtor and the seller's Realtor are the intermediaries. You'll counter back and forth in writing until a satisfactory agreement is reached and the escrow is opened.

11.              Get a home inspection and study the disclosures. Some things you will want repaired before you buy the house, others you will be willing to live with, at least for awhile. You have 17 days to decide if you want to proceed with the purchase or look elsewhere.

12.              Secure your home loan.  Study the Good-Faith Estimate your lender provided and cross-check it with the Buyer's Costs information your Realtor prepared. Look especially at the points charged for the loan (1 to 1.5 percent is typical in Southern California) and the total payment, including principal, interest, property taxes, mortgage insurance, and homeowner insurance that must be paid each month. If you have questions about the loan, ask the lender or check with other lenders. Again, your Realtor can help you.

13.              Plan your move. Start packing and label boxes (room and contents). Select a moving company and set a tentative date.

14.               Go for a final walkthrough. This is to make sure the condition of the house has not changed since your home inspection and any required repairs are made.

15.              Sign your loan documents and closing papers. When the deed and loan are recorded, the house is yours. The contract specifies when you get the key, usually at 5 p.m. on the day escrow closes.

16.              Move in and enjoy your new home! If problems arise you hadn't anticipated, don't hesitate to call your Realtor for advice or assistance.

If you want to buy a home in the Inland Empire or eastern Los Angeles County areas of Southern California, I would like to discuss your goals and how I can help you reach them. I work with a team of experienced professionals in all aspects of residential real estate. We are ready to serve you.