Web Site Links...   Search Homes For Sale   Receive a full list of homes       for sale from ALL local real       estate companies.   FREE Mortgage Quotes  Choose from a number of      great financing  programs like      Zero Down, Low Interest      Rates, FHA, VA and many      more!   Buying a Home with ZERO Down:  Sound good to be      true?  It's not!  Learn more      about ZERO down financing      programs.   First Time Home Buyers Get ALL your questions and      concerns answered regarding      the home buying process.   Home Buying Tips and FREE Reports  Get tips and     free reports on things to avoid,     how to avoid them, steps to     the home buying process and     much more.   VA Home Loans:  For our Military men and     women, First of all, Thank     you!!!  Apply here for VA     home loans   Relocating to Des Moines Get information on area      schools, neighborhoods,      maps, restaurants,      demographics and more.   Home Builders & Floor  Plans:  Search Des Moines      area home builders, floor      plans and other new home      products   Home Buyer Seminar: Learn about the great     benefits of home ownership     like tax deductions and     property appreciation.   Townhomes & Condos: Find townhomes, condos and     lofts for sale in the Des     Moines area   Do you have a Buyers Agent?  Make sure you an     agent to represent you and     your best interest...and it     should cost nothing!   Q and A: Have a question on the home     buying process, financing or     anything else? Ask it here! .   Matt Shaw  ABR Licensed REALTOR® State of Iowa Ph # 515.360.2247 Fax # 1-866-754-9351 4800 Mills Civic Pkwy #203 West Des Moines, IA 50265	Debt to Income Ratios: When determining your ability to qualify for a home mortgage a lender will look at your debt to income ratios.  Your debt to income ratio is the percentage of your gross monthly income (before taxes) that you spend on debt.  This will include your monthly mortgage payment, (including taxes & insurance) plus your monthly consumer debt (credit cards, student loans, car payments, etc.)   Credit Scores: Your credit scores are also a major factor in determining your ability to qualify for a home mortgage.  Credit scores are numerical values that rank individuals base on the past payment history, outstanding debt, and the amount of credit you have available.  Credit scores can have an affect on the price of your loan.  The price of the loan is what the lender is charging you to borrow the money (your interest rate).  Lower credit scores indicate a higher risk, which in turn means a higher interest rate.  And higher credit scores indicate a lower risk and a lower interest rate. Things to avoid when buying a home