1. Develop a budget. If possible, use receipts from the last six months. Remember to include unexpected expenses such as doctor visits and auto repairs as well as your monthly bills.

2. Reduce debt. Your home should  be between 25 and 28 of your total income. Try to keep car loans, student loans, credit cards down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

3. Write down expenses.  Make a list of everything you spend in a month.along with rent, utilities, food, cable, don't forget to include the little expenses .You'll probably find some ways to save.

4. Improve your income. It may be  be difficult to do, but  maybe a second part- time job could be the answer to getting you into a new home. 

5. Put money away. Even if you can get into a home for 5 percent down, try to save enough to put 20 percent down. 

6. Implement a new home fund. Determine an amount and include it in your monthly bills. 

7. Stay employed. If you have changed jobs in the last 2 years, you could be paying a higher interest rate.

8. Establish a good credit. Pay credit cards and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance as soon as you can.