Buying a house is more than just picking out your dream home -- it's a serious financial commitment that requires many calculations before you even start house hunting. For those of us who are mathematically challenged, figuring out what we can afford and what type of mortgage is best can be daunting. FrontDoor's handy tools help you develop a homebuying strategy and simplify those tough calculations so you can spend more time finding that perfect home.

1. Rent vs. Buy Calculator
   Homeownership comes with great benefits like tax breaks and the chance to build wealth, but renting can often be a cheaper and more convenient option for many people. FrontDoor's Rent vs. Buy Calculator compares the costs of renting and buying and helps you determine which alternative is right for you.
   
   
2. How-To Buyers Guide
   Once you decide that buying a home is the right move, the first thing you'll need is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that you can refer to throughout the homebuying process. FrontDoor's First-Time Homebuyer's Guide and House Hunters Homebuying Guide offer expert tips and advice for buying your first or your umpteenth home.
   
   
3. Real Estate Glossary
   When buying a home, it's important to familiarize yourself with the language you'll hear throughout the process. If terms like PITI and and points sound like mumbo jumbo, brush up on homebuying lingo with FrontDoor's Real Estate Glossary.
   
   
4. Homebuying Checklist
   Buying a home is a complex experience, so it's important to stay focused and organized to keep everything running smoothly. Use Frontdoor's Homebuying Checklist to stay on track throughout the process, from shopping for a loan to closing the deal.
   
   
5. Home Wish List
   Having a written vision of everything you want and need in a home will keep you enthusiastic and focused during your search. Think about your lifestyle and make sure it's compatible with your vision of home. Do you need to live close to your workplace? Are you planning a family and need extra space? Questions like these will influence what type of home you need.
   
   
6. Home Affordability Calculator
   In general, you shouldn't spend more than 2.5 times your gross annual income on a home, and your mortgage payment should be less than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. FrontDoor's Can I Afford It? Calculator will estimate what you can afford by comparing your monthly income with your monthly expenses.
   
   
7. Mortgage Calculator
   The amount of your loan, the interest rate and the term of the mortgage affect both your monthly and total mortgage payments. And don't forget about property taxes, hazard insurance and private mortgage insurance. FrontDoor's Mortgage Calculator shows you how much you'll wind up paying.
   
   
8. What Mortgage is Right for Me?
   There are hundreds of mortgage products out there, so be sure to find the right one for your needs. Read What Mortgage is Right for Me? to compare types of mortgages and to learn what questions you should ask yourself when choosing a mortgage.
   
   
9. Should I Pay Points?
   Points can help you in the long run by lowering your interest rate, but you'll have to pay more cash at closing. Read What's the Point? to determine if paying points makes sense for you.
   
   
10. House Tour Worksheet
    You'll look at a lot of houses during your hunt for the perfect home, and eventually they'll start to blend together. Take pictures and detailed notes about what you liked and didn't like about each home so you can differentiate them. Use your completed worksheets to narrow your search and focus on the houses you really liked.
    
    

GO TO: FrontDoor's Top 10

More on FrontDoor:

• Search Homes for Sale
• First-Time Homebuyer's Guide
• Foreclosure Buying Guide
• Home Seller's Guide
• Home Finance Guide
• Tools and Calculators

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