Last summer we had a melt down in the mortgage industry, and for a short period of time, getting a loan of any type was difficult. But now the mortgage companies have a way to get people into a home with little or no money down.

The Federal government (that would be president Bush and Congress), have passed laws that allow FHA to insure loans of up to 97 percent. With some very legal gift programs that the sellers can participate in, buyers can usually get into a home for a very small amount of cash. You still have to qualify for the loan, and it has to be your personal residence. But things are not as bad as the media would have you believe.

A large percentage of the Nashville real estate I've sold this year were purchased with $1000 dollars down payment. Most of my homes are at least $200,000, so we are talking about good homes in good areas with very little down payment.

It's time to get off the sidelines and start building equity.