Owning a home has always been and continues to be the American dream. For people with disabilities and others who have been denied the opportunity to choose where and with whom they live, the dream of owning a home is either rarely considered or typically discouraged. This guide reflects a new vision for people with disabilities, as well as the housing industry that has begun to serve them. In this new vision, people with disabilities are, from all perspectives, valued customers and potential home buyers.

The National Home of Your Own Alliance, established in 1993 at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, is a national technical assistance center and clearinghouse that focuses on homeownership and control for people with disabilities. The Alliance was created by a five-year cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities. As of 1997, twenty-three states receive ongoing support from the Alliance to develop pilot projects of homeownership.

This guide will walk you through the process of buying a home, from the decision to purchase to the move and settling into your new home.

Chapter One helps you decide whether homeownership is right for you. It begins by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of owning a home, what it will take to purchase a home, and the related expenses. The chapter discusses what types of financial assistance may be available, how large a mortgage you can afford to pay, and how to make the most of all of your resources.

Chapter Two describes a process that many people have found helpful in purchasing a home. It begins by introducing the concept of person-centered planning. The chapter explains how to present your desire to own a home through the development of personal profiles, how to assemble a planning team, and how to develop an action plan that will help you reach your goal of buying a house. Finally, the chapter details how to create a "wish list" to help define your ideal neighborhood, house, and personal assistance. Throughout the chapter, examples from one successful home buyer’s experiences are detailed.

Chapter Three offers suggestions on shopping for a home, choosing and working with a real estate sales professional, and completing certain steps before making an offer on a house. The chapter explains the sales contract in detail, and discusses guardianship and state certification requirements. The importance of a home inspection and home accessibility are also highlighted. Finally, the chapter describes how to negotiate the final purchase price of a home.

Chapter Four is dedicated to obtaining a mortgage. Related terminology is defined, and a description of various types of loans is presented. The chapter discusses the process of completing a loan application, preparing for the loan interview, and how a loan is processed. It offers advice about long-range planning and how to take advantage of the experiences of team members and other home buyers. The chapter ends with a discussion about what you can do if you are denied a loan, including strategies to overcome this obstacle.

Chapter Five helps you prepare for the closing, which is the meeting that finalizes your home purchase. It includes a final review to be completed before the closing meeting is held. The chapter also describes what to expect at the closing, including closing costs and the documents typically signed, and how to make sure you have the necessary assistance at the meeting.

Chapter Six looks at life as a homeowner. This includes settling in, meeting the neighbors, managing assistance, and maintaining your home. The chapter also reviews loan terms, what to do if you run into problems paying your mortgage, and offers tips on how to manage your money. Also included is a section on planning for and completing home maintenance and repairs.

At the end of the guide, you will find an appendix with a resource list and a glossary of terms. In addition, both descriptions of resources and definitions of terms are offered throughout the guide where it seems appropriate. For example, Chapter Four includes a section on understanding the terminology specific to obtaining a loan. Numerous worksheets and sample documents are also found throughout the guide.