Q: I am interested in buying a home for the first time. I've been renting an apartment but am tired of throwing my money away on rent. I don't know how to get started, though. I looked in the Sunday paper, but there are so many houses for sale that I don't know where to begin. Also, I had a problem with an old cellphone bill that wasn't actually in my name. It has been cleared up now, but it took me about a year to pay it off. Can I still buy a house?

A: Getting started in the process of buying your first home can seem overwhelming. Let's break it down into logical steps and try to make the task easier:

• Credit. Unless you have a large amount of cash, you'll probably need to borrow most of the purchase price from a home lender. Most lenders require that you have a fairly good track record of making monthly payments on time, and that record is demonstrated in your credit report.

Because your credit report is critically important to the lending process and because a home loan is vital to your ability to buy a home, this is where I believe you should begin your journey.

Call Equifax at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your credit file as it currently exists. Georgia residents are entitled to two free copies of their report each year, and viewing your report is the only way to find out what information may be influencing your file.

This procedure also gives you an opportunity to make sure the information in your file is accurate and pertains to you alone. Because so many people have similar names, it is possible for errors to creep into your record. If these errors contain negative information, your ability to obtain a home loan may be hurt.

Regarding the cellular phone bill, the fact that it is paid off will work in your favor. Once you get your report, it may be worthwhile to ask the cellular provider to remove any negative information that does not reflect their credit experience with you.

• Lending. Take your credit report to a home mortgage lender and get prequalified for a loan.

This step is easy. Look on the mortgage rate page of Homefinder for a local lender that has an office near you. Set an appointment to come in and present the loan originator with a copy of your credit report. Your goal is to find out how much of a loan you might be able to qualify for when you find the right house.

Also ask the lender for a "good faith estimate" of how much cash you might need for a down payment and for closing costs under various loan programs. This step will give you a good look at the cash required to buy a home.

If the lender asks you to pay for any portion of this prequalification, I suggest you decline. Most lenders will prequalify you for free, hoping you will decide to apply with them when the time comes.

• Shopping. Select a real estate professional who will guide you through the viewing and purchase process.

Ask friends and relatives to recommend an agent they have used. Or simply drive through the area you think you might want to live in on a Sunday afternoon and look for open houses.

When you meet agents, make sure they know you're in the market. Find out which services they offer that might help you.

Plan to spend several weekends with your agent looking at homes. Make sure you see a variety, not just one style. I also recommend that you include new and resale homes in your viewing. Resale homes often give more house for the dollar, but new homes are typically easier for the first-time purchaser to handle.

The No. 1 job of a real estate professional is to make the home buying experience as comfortable as possible for the buyer.

That includes interviewing you to find out your needs and wants and helping you select homes to view before you decide what to buy.

It's a good idea to view at least 15 homes, both inside and out, before you make an offer. Only then are you able to compare house to house, feature for feature. If the agent says there are not many homes on the market that match your desires, you have selected an area that is too small or features that are too restrictive.

The motto of good home buying is "shop and compare" before you buy. Once you have completed the steps, you will have given yourself a good education in the home buying process -- and you will be able to approach the market with confidence.

John Adams is a broker and investor. He is the host of the "John Adams Radio Show," a call-in program dealing with homeownership and real estate, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays on NewsRadio 640 (WGST). For more real estate information or to make a comment, visit www.money99.com.