With interest rates at historic lows and home prices well off their peak values, now may be the ideal time for prospective buyers to get into the real estate market. Although many banks have revised and tightened their lending criteria, that doesn’t mean home buyers can’t get a loan. Of course, today’s environment is much different than it was during the real estate market boom, and consumers are wise to spend some time making a thorough evaluation of their financial footing in order to secure the best loan for their particular situation. Tip 1: Understand your entire financial portfolio. Take …