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In 2 minutes you'll learn the process of buying a house. As you begin reading this article, consider your everyday life.

"If you want to buy a house there's probably never been a better time," encouraged Donald Trump recently on Good Morning America.

If you are single you are probably not going to be in the same situation as someone married. If you are married and have children, you are going to have different needs than a couple without children. Perhaps you are about to retire and are seeking to trade down to a smaller home. On the other hand you may be just beginning your career and you don't have time for fixing up a house or lots of yard work. Every situation is different.

Perhaps you prefer small town living or want more opportunities for outdoor recreation. On the other hand, some people love living in the city to take advantage of cultural and social activities. If you have a hobby like golf or tennis, you may want to incorporate that into your plans. If you have school age children then finding the best school district may be important to you.

You can also think about what type of home would work best for you. A condominium would require less upkeep. They usually offers amenities such as swimming pools, recreation areas, club houses, exercise gyms, and are often gated for privacy.

For many people, a single family home is appropriate. Think about bedrooms, bathrooms, living space, square feet, single story or two-story, and what kind of amenities you would prefer.

Of course, location is one of the primary issues that most people focus on and will probably be first on your list. You can start to identify areas or neighborhoods that you like as well as research other locations that you may not have given thought to before. With a little effort, you'll find it is easy to pinpoint a couple of neighborhoods you like and can afford.

In addition to examining your personal situation and preferences regarding buying a home, start to think about how much of a mortgage payment you can afford. Do you have a steady and reliable income? Is your current employment reliable, secure and in demand?

Do you have the habit of paying your bills in a timely manner? Are you aware of lingering credit problems? If you find yourself buried in debt, consider selling assets on eBay to decrease your obligations. Have you put aside money for down payment and closing costs to purchase a home?

Carefully consider the two crucial players in your home buying process, the real estate agent and the mortgage broker.

Start to take notice of real estate agents that seem to work the neighborhoods you prefer. Full time agents with prior customers who can vouch for them can make your home buying process a comfortable experience. Visit open houses and talk with Realtors. Make conversation and ask for their real estate opinion. Remember relatives and close friends have trusted agents that you can also meet.

Searching for a mortgage lender is similar. Interview real estate agents asking where they went for their last mortgage. Family members and those at work are good resources for referrals. Since you will be divulging your most personal details about finances, make sure you are comfortable with the home loan representative.

Of course when you are ready, be sure to get pre approved for a mortgage. Mortgage pre approval will save you time, energy and unpleasant surprise.

To help simplify the process of getting started, begin a to-do list today. Use this article to itemize many of the points you want to consider. Include some of your own ideas and thought.

The process of buying a house should begin with enjoyment. So at the top of your to do list write these words. HAVE FUN!

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For more tips on the process of buying a house visit mortgage insider Kate Ford. Ask Kate how to improve your credit rating and make your home buying a success.

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