Are you a first-time home buyer? Has it been a long time since you've owned your own place?

If so, then you've certainly heard of the rewards of home ownership: privacy, security, profits when you sell, and of course, tax advantages. Besides, it's just plain fun being king of your own castle!

On the other hand, chances are you're also feeling some trepidation over taking the big step. What about those hefty payments you've heard about? What if you choose poorly and get a neighborhood where prices go down? What if you really don't like the house?!

While all of these are reasonable concerns, rest assured that 70 million home owners in America can't be wrong. The vast majority of home buyers are perfectly happy with their homes. And if they're not, they can always sell them and buy another!

To avoid common pitfalls, be a well-informed buyer

If you’re in the market for a home, keep this in mind: The more you know—about what to ask, how to search, and who to watch for—the better off you’ll end up. So arm yourself with knowledge. We’ll help. Here, you’ll find advice on working with a real estate agent (or not), finding your dream home, getting a mortgage, and more. It’s all designed to make you a more informed, intelligent home buyer.