<human>: Condense the text into a few key points

My girlfriend and I want to buy a house.  We have found that most of the rental properties around here are much more expensive than a mortgage.  I understand why.  That homeowner needs to pay their mortgage, cover their other expenses and they want to make a little money too.  We are looking for a starter place.

About us.  I am 32 years old with no credit.  When I went to lease my car, I had to get a cosigner because I literally had no credit.  I have had my lease for almost 9 months now.  Not a ton of credit building but I've always paid on time.  I have few personal bills otherwise such as my cell phone and my car insurance which aren't in my name.  I have never had a credit card.  To the best of my knowledge, I have no outstanding debts.  I live a simple life where I try to stick to things I can afford.  It's kept me out of debt but it also hasn't helped me build credit either.  I also plan on going to school shortly to get a degree.

My girlfriend is 33.  She has some credit card debt and recently paid off some of hers.  She has some bills too she needs to take care of and has a few more monthly obligations.  She is currently a student getting a post graduate degree.

Neither of us are rich but we're hard workers and we're improving ourselves.
<bot>: What is our first step?  Who do we talk to?  Are there safe (non-predatory) groups out there willing to help people like us out with mortgages?