I've been doing tonssss of research lately on buying a house.  Matt and I are hoping to move sooner than later, I'm thinking a year or less.  So far we have been budgeting and saving, and so far we have 50%-60% of the amount I'd like to have for a down payment.  Its so scary though, there is so much to consider with 15 or 30 year loans and 80-20 and school districts and foundations and ahhh.  I think we can afford up to $140k home but I think we want to shoot for alot lower, probably under 100K for our first home.  I didnt realize how low a mortgage payment could be though, not too far off from what you'd pay in an apartment for our family size.  So basically I need to clean up my credit with the little things here and there and I want to try and establish some credit with a gas card or something.  Matt has excellent credit so we shouldn't have any problems getting a low interest rate.  It's a buyers market right now so I am just trying to be informed as possible.  I think we are going to start taking to banks and realtors soon.  Yayyy for being a grown up!  :) Advice??