There is a wealth of information available to home buyers and sellers. The following is a sampling of what is out there.

*The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Canada's national housing agency, has published Homebuying Step by Step. It offers lots of good advice, helpful charts and useful worksheets. You can obtain a free copy of this guide by contacting the CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or by visiting their website at www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

*CMHC has also put together a software package called AffordAbility. It allows you to try out a variety of home financing options, including how much house your family can afford and calculating mortgage payments for different amortization periods. This software is available at some computer stores or by contacting CMHC directly. You can try the program out by visiting their web site at cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

*Canadian Home Buying Made Easy by Douglas Gray, LL.B.

*The Complete Guide to Buying, Owning and Selling a Home in Canada by Margaret Kerr and JoAnn Kurtz.

*If you are thinking of building your new home check out the Ontario New Home Warranty Program's website at www.newhome.on.ca

*The Canadian Mortgage Book by Gordon Pape.