 TITLE: Should I Wait to Buy a House? CONTENT: How to Be Sure You're Ready to Buy a House\n------------------------------------------\nHere's a checklist to help you determine if you're ready to buy a home, regardless of the current housing market:\n*   You have money saved to cover your down payment and closing costs.\n*   Your emergency fund is topped off with at least three to six months' worth of expenses.\n*   Your credit score is high enough to qualify for a decent interest rate.\n*   Your income is such that you can easily keep up with monthly mortgage payments and maintenance. END