Buying a home anywhere isn’t easy. Buying one in Fort Collins? That’s another story.

The average sale price for a single-family detached home in Fort Collins last year was $325,044, up 8.6 percent from 2013 and up 15.3 percent from 2012, a Coloradoan analysis of single-family home sales shows. The median, or midpoint, last year was $285,450.

Tied to the Coloradoan’s recently launched housing series, “All In,” we are hosting an event designed to help first-time homebuyers navigate the tricky – and sometimes long – process of, you’ve got it, buying a home. The event is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Coloradoan, 1300 Riverside Ave.

The first half hour or so, experts will give you the skinny on the real estate market. Then, you can choose one of two tracks:

Have no idea where to start? This group is for you.

An experienced Realtor will lead a small group through questions such as: Where do you start? How do I clean up my credit report? Different kinds of loans and choosing a Realtor that fits your needs.

If you’ve done some research and need to shore a few things up, you’ll choose the second track.

On the day of the event, you’ll sign up for 15-minute sessions with Realtors, lender or credit counselors. There’s also an option to meet with Josh and Shannon Taylor, the couple featured in the kick-off to “All In” and a pair that can shed light on the trials and tribulations of homebuying in Fort Collins.

Tickets are free, but participants must RSVP.

Have questions? Email Coloradoan business reporter Pat Ferrier at patferrier@coloradoan.com.