Most people are familiar with the fact that the real estate bubble popped.

Did you know that women who live alone are more likely to own their homes than single men? It's true, statistics show that women are the second largest home-buying force next to couples, and the percentage of female homeowners is growing. So how are women buyer's needs different, and what special challenges might home ownership present to them?

So it's finally time to realize your dream of buying a home. This is a major step in your life, and your home will likely be your biggest asset ever. What's next, and how are you going to make the most of this new adventure?