It's pretty tempting. You've been thinking about buying your first home. You're hearing all over the place, "It's a buyer's market. Sellers are really motivated to sell."

And it's true: There are great deals out there. Builders are offering substantial incentives such as paying your mortgage for several months or adding in appliances or upgrades to houses for free. Sellers of pre-existing homes are willing to pony up closing costs or make price concessions.

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

CPA Scott Quesnel says home buyers should 'consider the whole environment,' not just the house. He found a home at The Views at Park Avenue in Smyrna.

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

Douglas Dockery (with Elvis) found a home at Hunter's Ridge in Temple with the aid of Realtor Janice Hayes. 'She helped me figure out what I wanted in a house.'

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

Los Angeles Sparks center Christi Thomas says she found the right investment at Ashlyn Pointe in Doraville.

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

'It's really important that you have someone who knows what they're doing helping you out,' Christi Thomas says.

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

'I saw a lot of houses I liked, but in the end I'm glad I waited for my Winmark house,' says Glori Gonsalves, shown with son Jayson in front of her home at Lakeview at Hamilton Mill in Buford.

So how do you get ready for that big financial step? And once you've decided the time is right for making that commitment, what do you do? We've put together some wisdom from the experts — as well as from some first-time buyers who have recently gone through the process — to help guide you. Read on:

BUYING VS. RENTING:

It's a question of economics.

• 1. Over the long term, real estate is usually a good investment. If you're going to stay in Atlanta for the next five years, it probably makes sense to buy. You'll build equity, establish a good credit history and get that big interest deduction for your income taxes.

• 2. On the downside, you have to take care of all your own maintenance and improvements, so you have to be able to cover not just the monthly mortgage payment but insurance and repairs and upkeep.

• 3. If you've got a great low rent deal, or you think you might get laid off or relocated in the near future, it might be better to continue to rent. If your credit is really bad, you should probably wait until you can get it improved so you'll have a much better mortgage deal.

Check out the "Buy vs. Rent Calculator" at ginniemae.gov to get a good idea of the long-term advantages and disadvantages of each.

YOU'RE READY TO BUY. NOW WHAT?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has some great tips for getting ready to buy your first house. Find out more at hud.gov/buying. The Web site lists nine steps to buying a home.

1. Figure out how much you can afford.

The Web site offers a great checklist to take with you at Step 5. It's easy to fall in love with how a house looks and forget about checking out the neighborhood and things like restrictive covenants and garbage service.

TIPS FROM A REALTOR

Janice Hayes, Realtor with Jenny Pruitt & Associates, finds that about 40 percent of her clients are first-time home buyers. She offers these tips if you're thinking about buying your first home.

1. First, go see a lender. Find out where you are pricewise and if there are going to be any problems in financing. Then you've got time to work out glitches in your credit score before it's time to apply for the loan. Interview three different lenders to find the best match for you.

2. Take a look at listings. See what kind of house you like. See what kind of listings are available in the area you're interested in.

3. Consider your commute. You'll get more house for the money the farther out you go, but you may spend more time in the car.

4. Think about your interests. Do you need to be near parks for active recreation or would you rather have easy access to movies and restaurants?

5. Find out about the schools. Even if you don't have kids, buying in a good school district is important for resale.

6. Rely on your Realtor to help you understand how to negotiate the contract.

She finds that buyers tend to be attracted to a certain kind of house. "Maybe it's what they grew up with or always wished they had," she says. "But we have to talk about whether this is really right for them. Why do they want a two-story home just for the two of them? What will they do about maintenance? I take them to see what they think they want, but I throw in a few other types of houses to get them to think differently."

Hayes' final advice? "Remember that you don't have to live here forever, but you want to find something you can enjoy now and possibly sell down the road. Always keep that in mind."

TIPS FROM A MORTGAGE BROKER

Michael Lappin, loan consultant and director of operations for STELLAR Mortgage Corp., says the whole process can feel pretty overwhelming for first-time home buyers. "They've got to figure out what's the right home, and they've got to figure out how they're going to pay for it." He says there are four things to keep in mind going through the home-buying process.

1. Work with someone you trust or who is referred to you by a trusted source.

2. Ask questions all through the process — your Realtor, your mortgage professional, your home inspector, they are all there to make this process work for you. If you've done it right, there will be no surprises at the end.

3. Stay within your budget. It's not always about what you qualify for but more about what you're comfortable paying each month. You may qualify for that $2,500 monthly mortgage, but do you really want to pay that much? Remember that your monthly expenses will include taxes, insurance and association fees. Maintenance costs and utilities need to be factored in as well.

4. Remember there are other costs involved in buying a home like adding a fence or paying someone to move you in. You don't want to get to the closing with enough money to buy the house but not for those other expenses.

Lappin suggests that as you're shopping, you go back periodically to your mortgage professional to have them explain the actual numbers on the house, including the tax numbers, so you'll really know what you're getting into.

HERE ARE HIS FOUR TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE LOAN PROCESS

1. Gather all your documents up-front — pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account statements, divorce decrees, child support agreements, etc. Communicate anything that is tentative, like a change in job status, that could impact the loan process.

2. Pull a credit report. Your mortgage professional will do it for you and it will give them a snapshot of your financial picture.

3. Don't open any new accounts once you apply for that mortgage.

4. Make sure you've gotten the loan terms you were promised. You should get this information the day before the closing to be sure everything's what you're expecting.

Now go buy a house!

The financing was right

Six or seven years ago, Douglas Dockery, 34 was planning to buy a house. But Sept. 11 happened, and Dockery was deployed as a member of the Army National Guard. After his years of service, he was finally back in the States working for Allstate Insurance as a claims adjuster. It was time to start looking again. "A typical male," he smiles, "I was trying to do it myself, find a place without using a Realtor. I looked in every single magazine, I visited open houses, but I learned it's really not easy even though you think you know what you're doing."

Figuring out what to buy: "My girlfriend introduced me to Janice Hayes from Jenny Pruitt & Associates, and she really got it. She helped me deal with the results of being out of the country off-and-on for so many years, and she helped me figure out what I wanted in a house. I thought I wanted a big Cape Cod house with a basement and a rocking chair front porch, but she walked me through what was more realistic for my needs. Things went a lot faster the minute I got her involved.

Figuring out where to buy: "We looked in Rockmart, Villa Rica and Temple. Janice knew I liked the outdoors, and she helped me see that Temple was just a short drive from Alabama's Talladega National Forest and Monte Sano State Park."

Figuring out what he could afford: "For me, a Veterans Administration loan was the only way to go. When you're working with the government, everyone has to be ready. The builder, the mortgage guy, the Realtor, everyone has to work together. The government is carrying your loan, and they want to make sure the house is what it says it is and is valued where it should be. Those loan calculators on the Web can be very misleading. After talking to Michael Lappin, my mortgage broker, I really understood what I could afford."

Financing: Dockery got a 30-year fixed-rate VA mortgage at 6.15 percent with nothing down. "I even got money back at the closing. My earnest money was $1,000 and all closing costs and VA fees were paid by the builder, so my out-of-pocket was very little."

What he bought: A three-bedroom, two-bath ranch on 1/2 acre in the Temple subdivision of Hunter's Ridge. "The builder gave me everything I asked for. Basically it was, 'Bring your offer to the table and tell us what you're looking for.' Working with Janice helped me figure out what to offer and what I should ask for, like a refrigerator to match the stainless-steel appliances, and a garage door opener."

Professionals make the difference: "Michael and Janice made a huge difference in my purchase. They helped me think about what I could afford and that included more than the mortgage. Things like utilities can add up. As a single guy, I found I could count on them to help me think about things I might not have considered. Now my pug, Elvis, and I are really enjoying our new house and our nice quiet neighborhood."

Hunter's Ridge

Address: 37 Elk Drive, Temple

County: Paulding

Information: 770-562-2922

Price range: $138,147-$186,322

Number of homes: 60

Square footage: 1,568-2,311

Lot sizes: 1/2 to 1 acre

Standard features: Craftsman-style, energy-efficient total electric appliances, stone or brick accents, marble vanities, built-in microwaves, marble fireplace surrounds

Developer and builder: Home 101 Builders LLC

Broker: ERA Adventure Properties Inc.

Schools: Union Elementary, South Paulding Middle, South Paulding High

GETTING THERE

Directions from downtown Atlanta: Take I-20 west to Exit 24 (Ga. 61) and turn right. At three-way stop, turn left on Ga. 101. At Buchanan Highway, turn left. Subdivision is 1.8 miles down on the right.

The time was right

"It was time for me to become more grounded," says Glori Gonsalves, 30, "for myself, my son Jayson, and my grandmother Addie. My mom is also planning to move here in the near future. We needed more room, and I wanted a home that had easy access to the expressway. I own an e-commerce Web site, GloriousThoughts, where my partner and I sell inspirational items for women and also design 'Quote Walls' for everyday inspiration."

The search: "I searched neighborhood by neighborhood, starting in Sugar Hill where I had lived. I decided on Buford. The schools are excellent, the shopping areas are great, and it's not too far from Atlanta but far enough from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's an up-and-coming area."

Where she bought: "I came across Lakeview at Hamilton Mill and felt at home. I started working with Tia Glover of Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta, a former co-worker and good friend. She and I searched some more, but always came back to Lakeview at Hamilton Mill."

What she bought: "We have a two-story home with a full basement, five bedrooms, four baths, a large family room, dining room, living room and eat-in kitchen. The deck is great for entertaining and there's a loft we're turning into a theater room. The view from the back of the home puts me at peace and helps me focus on new ideas for my company. Not to mention our Pekingese, FeFe, loves the freedom to run around in the open area."

Buying the house: "My grandmother came from Ohio just for a visit during the Thanksgiving holidays and made a decision to move in with me, so I wanted to purchase my home quickly. Tia and Stephen Lillard, the on-site agent for Winmark Homes, made that happen. We closed in the early part of December and moved in by Christmas. I used the builder's finance company, Winmark Financial. Bo and Laura Brown and Chris Calhoun of the Laura Brown Team made sure I was comfortable in my final decision of the loan we chose."

Financing: "I got an adjustable rate mortgage at 5.5 percent."

The difference between renting and owning: "It's comforting to know that I have stability, a great investment and room to grow."

Advice for other first-time home buyers: "Take your time. Know that in the end, everything happens for a reason. If you don't get that particular house you had your eye on, it was for a reason. I saw a lot of houses I liked, but in the end I'm glad I waited for my Winmark house. Like my grandma Addie always tells me, 'Trust your first mind.' "

Lakeview at Hamilton Mill

Address: 2284 Lake Cove, Buford

County: Gwinnett

Information: 678-730-1174;

www.winmarkhomesatlanta.com

Price range: from the $300,000s

Number of homes: 160

Square footage: 2,500 to 3,500

Standard features: mudrooms off garages, sitting rooms in master; loft or game room standard in all two-story homes, granite; hardwoods in foyer, living and dining rooms, kitchen and breakfast area; 6-foot jetted tub in master bathroom

Amenities: tennis courts, junior Olympic pool, tot lot, clubhouse, sidewalks

Developer and builder: Winmark Homes

Broker: Garnett & Lee

Schools: Ivy Creek Elementary, Glen C. Jones Middle, Mill Creek High

GETTING THERE

Directions from downtown Atlanta: Take I-85 north to Exit 120 (Hamilton Mill). Turn left, then take the first right on Sardis Church Road. Go one mile and turn right on Doc Hughes Road. Lakeview at Hamilton Mill will be on the right.

The place was right

"I had been renting for three years and saving my money for a down payment," says 26-year-old Scott Quesnel. A CPA with a downtown Atlanta office, Quesnel travels all over Atlanta to work with his clients. "I wanted something inside the Perimeter and close to the interstate so it would be easy to get anywhere."

His requirements: "I didn't want a huge mortgage payment for something only slightly larger than the apartment I was renting, so a good-sized place was important to me. I wanted it to be big enough that I could still live there when I get married and have kids. I don't want to have to move for at least five-10 years. And I wanted covered parking."

How he found his place: "I was working with Todd Banister of Jenny Pruitt & Associates. He showed me The Views at Park Avenue and I loved it. The price was right, so I figured it was time to push the button."

What he bought: "I've got a three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath end unit townhome. With only one shared wall, it's a little more private. The garage is behind the house so that the front view of the place is appealing. I've got a roomy kitchen and a good-sized balcony. I looked at a lot of homes in my price range and many of the floor plans weren't practical. This one has a nice layout with some great features."

Financing: "I made a 10 percent down payment and I have a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.25 percent. The whole process was easy. I had to get a mortgage through my builders' financial group or they wouldn't honor all the credits and price negotiation."

Financial advice: "Make sure you can afford the place before you make an offer. Say you're looking in the $200,000 range. You find one that's $10,000 or $15,000 more and comes with a few extra features, and it's easy to rationalize that extra money. But you have to budget carefully. You have to consider the increased costs that come with a larger residence including higher the utilities, as well as the cost to furnish and paint. Figure it out on the front end so you don't have any nasty surprises later."

Choosing the right place: "Look around. When you find something you love and that fits your lifestyle, go back a second and third time. Look at it as an investment; see what's happening in the area around it. You can't just look at the house itself, you've got to consider the whole environment."

The Views at Park Avenue

Address: 4923 Seldon Way, Smyrna

County: Cobb

Information: 770-431-8080, www.pulte.com

Price range: $230,000s-$260,000s

Year built: 2007/2008

Standard features: granite countertops; stainless-steel appliances; maple kitchen cabinets; hardwood floors in kitchen, foyer and powder room; tile bathroom floors and shower walls

Amenities: community pool

Number of units: 165

Square footage: 1,743

Association fee: $120/month covers water, sewer, yearly termite bond and landscaping; $625 annual fee covers pool access and maintenance, common area maintenance and trash pickup

Broker and builder: Pulte Homes

Schools: Nickajack Elementary, Campbell Middle, Campbell High School

GETTING THERE

Directions from downtown Atlanta: Take I-75 north to I-285 west. Take Exit 15 (South Cobb Drive) and turn right. At the third light, turn right onto Wright Road. Turn right at the first stop onto Oakdale Road. The community will be on the left. Turn in at the second entrance.

The investment was right

Christi Thomas plays center for the Los Angeles Sparks. As a pro in the Women's National Basketball Association, she's on the road all the time. When she's not playing in the States, she may be playing in Italy, Russia or Latvia. She went pro right out of college, so for the past few years, she was able to juggle living at the family home with her work schedule. "But the time was right for me to make the investment in a home," she says, "and it was time to have a place of my own."

How she found her new home: "I had been thinking about this for a long time and did a lot of looking around on the Internet. When I was ready to go out looking, my mom and I came to Ashlyn Pointe. It had popped up a lot every time I was online, so I wanted to see it first. I loved the location, I loved the layout, and I wanted it. I never even looked anywhere else. That's the kind of person I am."

Great location: "It's halfway between my parents' home in Buford and the airport. It's easy to get downtown, and within a 10-15 minute drive I can get to Ashford Dunwoody where they have everything under the sun, or I can go the other way to LaVista where there's tons of stuff. I have a 4-year-old brother, so it was also important for me to be able to do for him while I'm home, so this is the perfect spot."

What she bought: "The unit started off with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, but I finished the basement level, so it's now four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. I knew I wanted something that would be good for when I finish playing ball professionally and when I am in town, I wanted to have a place my teammates could come and visit, too. And I thought the extra space would be good for resale value."

The financing: "I got 100 percent financing, although I did put down $1,000 in escrow and 2 percent of the cost of finishing the basement. I worked with a lender that one of my teammates had used. I ended up with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.875 percent."

Advice for other first-time home buyers: "Your mortgage is so important. Make sure you discuss in detail everything about the loan with your lender. I didn't have a real estate agent, so my aunt helped me. It's really important that you have someone who knows what they're doing helping you out. It can get really technical and complicated. Make sure you understand all the costs, like closing costs, which can be a lot of money. And know what you want. Don't take 'no' for an answer. It's a buyer's market and there are so many incentives available. Take advantage of everything you can get."

Ashlyn Pointe

Address: 2978 Ashlyn Pointe Drive, Doraville

County: DeKalb

Information: 770-356-5579, www.ashlynpointe.com

Price range: $184,900-$204,900

Year built: 2006-2008

Standard features: two- and three-story homes; brick and stone exterior; kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite countertops; master suite with garden tub and separate shower; hardwood floors; fireplace; private backyards

Amenities: common grounds, convenient to shopping and I-85 and I-285

Number of units: 80

Square footage: 1,450-1,650

Association fee: $80 per month covers maintenance of common areas, exterior lighting, property insurance, exterior reserve fund

Broker: Christopher Evans, Sharp Property Services Inc.

Builder: Lenox Homes

Schools: Cary Reynolds Elementary, Sequoyah Middle, Cross Keys High

GETTING THERE

Directions from downtown Atlanta: Take I-85 north to I-285 west. Exit at Buford Highway; turn right. In 1/2 mile, turn right on McElroy Road. Ashlyn Pointe is 1/2 mile down on the right.