1.    You must have a job- really

2.  The banks will usually want to see your tax returns and they will verify them with the IRS

3.    You must show you make enough money to pay for the house-and the boat

4.    You cannot borrow more than the house is worth- and then ask the bank to take less

5.    You have to put down some money-say even 20% of the purchase price

6.    You have to show you have enough money left over to make a few months payments

7.    Your credit score cannot be under 620

8.    A really good credit score is now 740

9.    You have to be alive (and awake) at the closing

10.  You really should make the payments- even if the guy next door is not