WHERE DO I START WHEN BUYING A HOME?                Congratulations on your decision to purchase your new home.  Buying a new home can be both exciting and confusing, so here are 10 tips to help you get started:   1.     Calculate how much you can afford.     The rule of thumb is that you should not spend more than 28% of your gross income.  Also, think about what you have been paying out in rent each month.  Has this been a struggle, or has it been easy for you; are you able to pay all your bills on time?  There is a lot of things to consider in your finances; you just want to make sure that you are comfortable with what you can afford.  You want to live in a home wh…