Monday, June 8, 2026
When Should I Start
Planning a Home Purchase?
The biggest mistake people make is waiting until they feel "ready" and then scrambling — getting pre-approved, finding a home they love, and then discovering their credit score, debt-to-income ratio, or savings aren't quite there yet.
The short answer: earlier than most people think — ideally 12–24 months before you want to buy, but even 6 months of intentional prep makes a real difference.
Here’s what your timeline should look like in practice:
12–24 months out
- Pull your credit reports and start improving your score if needed (paying down debt, fixing errors, avoiding new accounts)
- Start saving aggressively for a down payment and closing costs
- Avoid major financial moves — job changes, new loans, big purchases — that could complicate your loan profile
- Get clear on your budget, neighborhood priorities, and timeline
6–12 months out
- Talk to a lender to get a real pre-qualification picture (not just an online calculator)
- Understand which loan type fits you — conventional, FHA, VA if you're military, jumbo if you're in a high-cost market
- Start researching neighborhoods in earnest
- Connect with a REALTOR® so you're educated and ready when the right home appears
3–6 months out
- Get formally pre-approved (not just pre-qualified)
- Tour homes actively to calibrate your expectations
- Understand the local market — how fast homes move, what's competitive, when to expect bidding situations