When you decide that it is time to buy a new home, you have many different decisions to make. The biggest and most important of these is your home loan. Not many people can pay cash to buy a home so they rely on a Bank, Finance, and or Mortgage companies. When you go there you will fill out many papers and talk to a loan officer. You will be required to bring information with you such as pay stubs, tax returns, and credit reports. Most mortgage companies will run a credit report on any one who is going to be responsible for paying back the loan. A credit report shows your history of how well you have paid your debts in the past. Many people can't obtain a loan because of a credit score that doesn't fall within the guidelines set by the lender. Maybe you lost a job or got sick and were out of work, so you were late paying some of your bills. If this happens to you there are companies that can help get your credit back on track and then you can buy your home. When you find the lender you think offers a variety of good loan programs, you will make an appointment and get the ball rolling. This is a process that can take some time to complete. Most home loans are for a large sum of money so the bank will do it's due diligent to make sure they are comfortable with your ability to repay the loan you are asking for. You will hear many terms that are new to you, so if you don't understand something have your loan officer explain it to you. When you get a mortgage it is usually a long term arrangement between you and the bank, in some cases you will agree to make monthly payment on your loan for 30 years. In many ways you can say that the bank owns the house with you, yes it is your home, and they can't tell you what color to paint your walls, or if you can have pets, however if you can't pay your loan as agreed to they can take your home away form you. My talking to a well qualified mortgage professional, you can find the best type of loan, terms, and conditions so that one day the home will be all yours and your loan obligation will be fulfilled. Loan officers are there to help you get a home of your dreams that you can afford and be very happy owning for a lifetime.