Buying a home is a learning experience. It's exciting, time consuming, at times frustrating, but ultimately fulfilling -- that is, if you end up with the right house in the right neighborhood for the right price.

Home buying is best approached with a game plan in mind, and with the understanding that home buying is a process that takes time. It's hard to predict how much time it will take to buy a home because there are many variables that are beyond your control.  more...

DEAR BOB: About two years ago, I helped my daughter (then age 23) buy a one-bedroom condo by co-signing with her on her mortgage. She was fresh out of college with a good job at an accounting firm. About 18 months ago, she foolishly quit that well-paying job because she didn't like her boss. Since then, she hasn't been able to find another job paying as well. As a result, she is now three months behind on her mortgage payments, plus the monthly condo fees.  more...