When you're a first-time homebuyer, the process can be an overwhelming whirlwind of information and activity. But if you stay grounded and obtain as much knowledge as possible, you'll feel in control and equipped to make the best decisions for your finances and your lifestyle.

After deciding that owning a home is better than renting, you can start searching for homes that meet your specifications for square footage, location, amenities and anything else that's on your list. It's helpful to separate your needs from your wants as you're house hunting because you're almost certain to find yourself compromising. No house is perfect, unless you have an unlimited budget or you're custom-building a home. Identifying what you can live without will help you find the home that best fits your needs.

Of course, it's not as easy as searching for your ideal house and buying it. Your available budget will be determined by multiple factors. Your credit score will dictate the interest rate you will qualify for on your mortgage, and that rate will determine how much you're actually paying for your house over the term of your mortgage. You've probably heard some of the myths about buying a home and recognizing those can help you make better decisions.

Your credit score dictates the interest rate you will pay for your mortgage and that rate will determine how much you're actually paying for your house over the term of your mortgage. Determining how much home you can afford to buy while still being able to live and cover other expenses is a vital step, too.

When you're ready for a mortgage, our fixed mortgages and Federal Housing Authority Loans are ideal financing instruments for first-time buyers.