Six must-do's before buying a home

You might be ready to buy a home, but are you armed with the knowledge you need? Do you know about credit score requirements? Are you familiar with flexible standards on Federal Housing Administration loans? Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced owner, buying a house requires a "preflight check," in the words of Barry Zigas, director of housing policy for the Consumer Federation of America. Here is a six-item checklist, including tips on two types of savings you need, plus advice about what's more important than buying a house for its resale value. 1. Strengthen your credit score 2. Figure out how much house you can afford 3. Save for down payment and closing costs 4. Build a healthy savings account 5. Get preapproved for a mortgage 6. Buy a house you like Source : http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/04/26/six-things-to-do-before-buying-home/