John Varano

To those who've been through it before, the home buying process may seem less complicated and intimidating than it does to someone who hasn't had the experience. Take millennials, for example. The generation – roughly defined as being between the ages of 18 and 34 – are approaching, or have already arrived at, an age when Americans typically start thinking about buying their first home. Without any prior experience or knowledge, however, many feel confused about their options and anxious about the whole endeavor. In fact, according to a recent survey, millennials have a number of concerns. Unsurprisingly, having enough money for a down payment topped the list. But almost half said not knowing how to start the process was also an issue, followed by bad credit and too much debt. In other words, millennials are interested in buying a house but may be holding off due to misconceptions about the financial requirements or confusion about how to get started. Fortunately, the process is far less daunting than it may seem and, with the help of a good lender, exploring the available financing options can make buying a home not only less intimidating but also attainable.