• Deciding whether or not you should buy a home is one of the most important decisions that you can ever make. In doing so, you must ask yourself some very important questions, so that you are not left with your credit rating ruined and your home taken away.
• Do you have a source of income that you can rely on long term. This means that you must have held this job for at least 2-3 years and you know for a fact that you will be able to keep it for years. Losing a job is one of the main reasons why people default on mortgage payments, so be sure that you can rely on the job that you current have long term.
• Do you always pay for bills on time. Late payment on bills may not seem like a big deal, but it is a huge deal with mortgage payments. A few late payments can cause a lender to claim that you have violated your contract, which can lead to a foreclosure on your house. Many people who pay their bills late constantly do so because they forget, rather than a lack of money, so be sure that you keep your mortgage payment up to date at all times.
• Do you already have long-term outstanding debt. This can include things like car payments, which will already put a strain on your credit rating and can ruin you financially should you lose your job. If you are already making car payments, make sure that you are not living beyond your means when signing up for a mortgage.
• Do you have enough money for a down payment. Nearly every bank or mortgage company around requires a down payment because this shows that you have the ability to pay off a mortgage. If you cannot afford to save up for a down payment, then you probably cannot afford a mortgage. Use your ability to save up for a down payment as a barometer on whether or not you are ready for a mortgage.
• Do you have the financial capacity to pay for a mortgage and any additional costs that the house may bring up each month. If you cannot afford to make all of your payments each month, it should be a red flag that you are not ready to receive a mortgage. 

If you can honestly answer yes to all of these questions, then it is time for you to seriously consider buying a home.  If not, then keep waiting and your time will come soon enough.