The National Association of Home Builders' web site at http://www.nahb.com has a detailed guide to buying a new home, tips on selecting and working with a home builder and much more. At the home builders' site you can also find news and information about events, issues and legislation that affect homeownership and housing affordability. Also featured on the NAHB web site is the Housing Opportunity Index, which rates housing affordability in about 200 major markets on a quarterly basis.

Another excellent source of home buying information is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development web site at http://www.hud.gov. Here you can find consumer information on buying, owning, renting, fair housing and much more, including FHA low down payment mortgage insurance for home buyers.

At http://www.homepath.com, which is operated by Fannie Mae, you can find several mortgage calculators to help you determine what your monthly payments might be or how much you can afford to spend for a home. And if you're not decided that homeownership is the right course for you to pursue, you will find information that can help you evaluate your options.

Freddie Mac's site at http://www.freddiemac.com also includes useful mortgage calculators, information about home buying and a consumer home inspection kit that can be printed from the site.

Numerous U.S. government publications on housing subjects ranging from different types of mortgages to selling a home, residential energy efficiency and the home buying process are available at http://www.pueblo. gsa.gov.

One of the most important aspects of the home buying process is financing, and the nation's mortgage providers have taken full advantage of the internet in their marketing efforts. Through just a simple search, you can find numerous sites where rates are posted daily so you can compare terms and select the mortgage that best suites your needs. On some of these sites, it is even possible to apply for a mortgage online.

These are just a few of the many online resources available to you as you begin your search for a new home. With a little time and the assistance of any of the popular web search engines, you can find a wealth of information to make the process easier and more comprehensive.

Happy house hunting.