Happy excited Black mixed race couple celebrating financial success at laptop, getting income, loan, mortgage bank approval, planning good family budget. Young husband and wife giving high five

Scrolling listings is exciting — but buying a home starts long before you attend an open house.

If you’re planning to buy in the next 6–12 months, these steps can save you stress, money, and missed opportunities.

1. Understand Your Real Budget
Online calculators don’t tell the full story. A proper mortgage review looks at:

• Income and debts

• Down payment sources

• Property taxes and heating

• Lifestyle comfort, not just approval limits

2. Get Pre-Approved Early
A pre-approval helps you:

• Lock in a rate

• Shop with confidence

• Strengthen your offer

• Avoid last-minute surprises

It also flags issues early — when there’s still time to fix them.

3. Clean Up Credit (Before It Matters Most)
Small tweaks — like lowering balances or correcting errors — can have a big impact on your mortgage options. Waiting until you’ve found “the one” often means fewer choices.

4. Understand Your Mortgage Options
Fixed, variable, adjustable, insured, conventional — the right mortgage depends on your goals, not just the lowest rate.

5. Build a Team Early
Mortgage agent + Realtor + lawyer = smoother process, fewer surprises.

The Bottom Line
The best buyers aren’t the fastest — they’re the most prepared.

A short planning conversation now can put you miles ahead when the right home shows up.