Residence halls, apartments, Greek houses — for the most part college living is easy. But what happens when students leave the comfort of the University bubble and enter the real world to find a place to live? There is no need for worry. The home investing process is nothing to fear.

Knowing information and what one wants in a home will make the process go smoothly. According to Tom Cain, Re/Max real estate agent in Champaign, buying a home is easy and getting money back with a profit is very likely.

First, buyers should go to the bank to get pre-approved. Pre-approval is not mandatory but it allows the seller to know that the buyer is qualified to buy a home, Cain said. In pre-approval, the lender verifies information about the buyer such as job earnings, debts and credit rating. Buyers can visit lenders at banks, savings and loan companies or credit unions.

Secondly, buyers should have a criterion for a home, Cain said. With a real estate agent, buyers can quickly find a home that suits them best. An agent can show the buyer neighborhoods and houses in the area to make a market analysis, which will help the buyer understand value and negotiate prices.

Negotiating may be a frightening part for many first time buyers. What is the best way to negotiate to get the best price?

"Do you want to negotiate or do you want to buy a house?" Cain asks clients. "If I were listed at 80 and let's say you came in at 78. As a seller I'd look at that pretty heavy. I may just sign it."

He adds that if a buyer starts, for example, at 10 percent less than the asking price, the seller may go above what the buyer wants. It is best not to start too low in negotiating.

After signing for the home, Cain highly recommends hiring an inspector for home inspection. Any problems found can be fixed or credited to buyers, and the buyer also has the power to renegotiate the contract if the inspector finds any major problems.

Dan Hetler, 20, is an electrician in Calumet City, Ill. Hetler is thinking of buying a home, but said, "With all the bills I'm paying here I know I can't afford to own a home yet."

He said he fears that once he buys a home he will find many repairs that need to be made and all the extra costs he will have to pay after signing.

However, Cain said there are programs that will assist buyers in these situations.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has many programs to make home investing more affordable and attainable. Its most popular program is the home loan, which requires a 3 percent minimum from the buyer and allows 100 percent of the needed cost to close to be a gift from a relative, non-profit organization or government agency. A non-profit organization, AmeriDream, also helps first-time buyers and low — and moderate — income buyers to buy a home through down payment assistance.

Cain said most of his first-time buyer clients are between the ages of 25 and 35.

Scott Berkey, 31, is living in his second home in Champaign with his wife and daughter. The Berkeys bought their first home in Indianapolis six years ago.

Berkey said the home buying process went smoothly. He said if buyers know they will not be living in a certain area for long, it is best to rent. However, if the buyer will be living in the home for more than two years, they should buy the house.

When it comes time to sell, sellers could make a profit off the sale if the market is doing well, Berkey said.

"Definitely look for people you trust. That's something important in buying a home," Berkey said. "Ask friends about good people to go to in the area you plan on moving to."

Important factors to keep in mind when buying a home are mortgage and PITI (Principle, Interest, Taxes and Insurance). A mortgage is a loan document in which buyers pledge the title to their homes as the collateral, Cain said. In exchange for the loan, the buyers agree to pay a monthly PITI to the lender.

In PITI, principle is the actual payment that goes toward buying the house. Interest is the amount of money the lender charges for the loan. Buyers pay taxes on property that go toward community services like schools, street cleaning and lighting and fire protection. Insurance provides the homeowner with financial protection in case of a sudden disaster or accident.