Consult the real estate section in your local paper, a real estate listings booklet, or real estate listings on the Web. Choose two homes that you might actually consider within the next 5 to 10 years. Calculate the down payment and the principal and interest portion of the mortgage payment if you financed 80 percent of the sales price over 30 years at a rate of 6.5 percent. With that limited insight on the one-time and recurring costs, also consider the maintenance and operating costs for each home. Write a report outlining your wants and needs, your calculations, and the reasoning behind your choice.