As many first-time buyers are being "stimulated" into taking advantage of the housing market, keep in mind that regardless of your down payment, be it 20% or an FHA 3.5%, you need to budget for closing costs. Closing costs are in addition to your purchase price, and unless negotiated in the purchase contract, are the buyer's responsibility to pay.

Some loan packages allow you to roll the closing costs into the financing, but it does depend on how much money you have to put down on the house. If you are going FHA with 3.5% down, make sure you either ask for the seller to pay some of the closing costs or budget approximately 3% for closing costs in addition to your down payment.

Thought I would share this article I found a while back on MSN, with some handy tips about how to makeover your kitchen without replacing it! I think I might try the cabinet "refinish" idea on my bath vanity–when time allows.

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=16828411