Bankrate's Home Buyer's Guide: First-time home buyers

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Doing it right the first time -- Buying a home can be a daunting experience, particularly for first timers. There's a whole new language to learn and your personal financial life is hanging out for a bunch of strangers to examine and rule on. It's confusing and intricate with a million things to remember and follow up on. Not to mention the basic underlying questions: Is this house really worth the money? Will the value go up or down? Am I buying in the right neighbourhood? Am I doing the right thing? Should I just rent for another year? In the light of day, however, it's a business transaction that thousands go through every day. If they can do it, so can you. Here's a little help.

First-time home buyers

Top 5 home-buying mistakes -- Buyer beware! Watch out for these common mistakes that can cost home buyers money and peace of mind.

Tax implications of owning property -- When assessing the tax implications of buying real estate, the first thing that comes to mind is property taxes. But owning your own home, cottage or rental property can also bring important income tax consequences.

When not to buy a house -- Sure, everyone says to buy a house as soon as you can. But you might want to stop and think whether that advice really applies to you before handing over that down payment.

How to read and understand your credit report -- OK, you got your credit report just like everyone says you should. Here's how to read it.

A primer on credit -- An introduction to credit will provide you with a good foundation for developing a healthy financial life.

Should you buy a new or old home? -- It's one of the oldest debates in the home-buying game and, naturally, there are two sides to the story. Here's the pros and cons to help you decide.

Ugly duckling homes -- With hard work and a little imagination, you can turn your ugly duckling buy into a swan of a home.

Anatomy of a deal -- Ever wondered what happens once you put in an offer? One real estate expert draws back the curtains.