Are you a first-time homebuyer? Are you stressed out about buying a home?

We asked local realtor Jackie Sharp to give you some tips to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Yes, you read that right. There's only a few days left to take advantage of a SPECTACULAR deal with Bigelow Homes. The "no down payment" program ends August 17th. As part of the new federal housing bill that was signed into law, all down payment assistance programs are being eliminated.

Big hype has surrounded the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that was just signed by President Bush. But what does it really mean for home buyers? Well, if you're a first-time buyer it can mean about $7,500!

It's a rough time out there when it comes to securing that mortgage. But, the good news is with some homework and fiscal responsibility, you can secure that mortgage and move into the home of your dreams.

We sat down with a local mortgage expert to talk about what you can do to secure that mortgage.

Check out the video below

These days, we’re all so busy it’s hard to find time to hang a picture on the wall, let alone get your home ready to put on the market. But did you know that statistics show that a potential buyer decides whether or not they like a home within eight seconds of first seeing it? So, it's easy to see why as a seller, you should make sure your home has some serious curb appeal.

Perhaps you're like me and when money matters arise, your eyes start to glaze over. (Unless of course, someone is telling you that you've won the lottery or something, but that hasn't happened to me...yet.) If budgets and finances and spreadsheets (oh my!) don't top your list of interesting conversations, then my guess is that the topic of mortgages is probably somewhere at the bottom of the list - like right between toilet cleaning and toenail clipping. Unfortunately, if you're looking into buying a home, then you'd better brace yourself for plenty of conversations containing the word "mortgage." In order to get you brushed-up on your mortgage knowledge, we've compiled some quick-tips that will help get you through all of those conversations - and hopefully make the process of buying a home just a little bit easier.

You know, so when you win the lottery and buy that second home in Malibu you're an old-pro :)

Check out the videos after the jump...