Home Buying Tips: Why Your Home Buying Prep Should Start 3-6 Months Before You Start Shopping

Thinking about buying a home this year? One of the most important home buying tips I can give you is this:

Don't wait until you're ready to start touring houses to start your home buying prep.

Ideally, you should talk to a mortgage lender AND your Realtor about 3–6 months before you want to start seriously home shopping.

And no, that doesn't mean you need to get preapproved today, start touring houses this weekend, or even have everything perfectly figured out.

Actually, it's the opposite.

Starting your home buying prep early gives you time to figure those things out before you fall in love with a house.

Because there are two phone calls I can get from a future buyer:

"Hey Brittany, we'd like to buy a house in about six months. What should we be doing now?"

OR...

"BRITTANY! We found THE HOUSE. 😍 Can we see it tonight?! Oh, and we haven't talked to a lender yet."

Trust me when I tell you, the first conversation makes the entire home buying process a whole lot easier. 😂

Home Buying Tip #1: Talk to a Mortgage Lender BEFORE You Start House Hunting

A conversation with a lender should be one of the first steps in your home buying prep.

You don't need perfect credit.

You don't need a massive down payment sitting in your bank account.

And you don't need to know exactly which house you want.

The purpose of talking to a lender early is to figure out where you stand TODAY and what, if anything, you should work on before you're ready to buy.

Maybe you're completely ready.

Maybe paying down a credit card could put you in a better position.

Maybe there's something on your credit report that needs attention.

Maybe you need additional employment or income documentation.

Or maybe you'll discover you're much closer to being able to buy a home than you thought!

Finding those things out 3–6 months before home shopping gives you something incredibly valuable:

TIME.

Home Buying Tip #2: Figure Out Your REAL Home Buying Budget

One of the biggest home buying mistakes is starting your search based on the price of the house instead of understanding what that price means for your monthly payment.

A $250,000 home doesn't create the exact same payment for every buyer.

Your interest rate, loan program, down payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance and potential mortgage insurance can all affect your monthly housing expense.

That's why part of your home buying prep should include figuring out a monthly payment you're actually comfortable with.

And here's another important home buying tip:

The maximum amount you qualify for doesn't automatically have to become your home buying budget.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with qualifying for more and deciding you'd rather spend less.

Your lender can help you understand the numbers, and your Realtor can help you understand what those numbers realistically buy in your local housing market.

Home Buying Tip #3: Give Yourself Time to Work on Credit

If your credit needs a little love before buying a home, wouldn't you rather know that NOW than after you've found a house you absolutely love?

This is another reason early home buying prep matters so much.

Depending on your individual situation, your lender may recommend addressing certain balances, correcting an error on your credit report, or simply continuing to establish good payment history.

But don't start randomly closing accounts, opening new credit cards, moving money around or paying off debts because TikTok told you to. 😅

Talk to a qualified mortgage professional first.

Your financial situation is unique, and you want advice based on YOUR mortgage goals.

Home Buying Tip #4: Start Saving With an Actual Goal

"I'm saving to buy a house."

Okay... but how much do you actually need?

That's a much easier question to answer after you've talked with your lender.

Your home buying expenses may include more than your down payment. Depending on your loan and transaction, you'll potentially need to prepare for expenses such as:

• Down payment
• Earnest money deposit
• Home inspection
• Appraisal
• Closing costs
• Prepaid taxes and homeowners insurance
• Moving expenses
• Expenses after you move into your new home

Different loan programs and down payment assistance options may also affect how much cash you'll ultimately need.

Instead of throwing money into savings and hoping it's enough, your home buying prep plan can give you an actual number to work toward.

Home Buying Tip #5: Talk to Your Realtor Early, Too

Your lender isn't the only person you should contact before you're ready to start looking at homes.

Call your Realtor, too! 🙋‍♀️🏡

I LOVE when buyers reach out months ahead of time.

Why?

Because we have time to actually prepare.

We can talk about what you're looking for, which areas you're considering, your must-haves versus your would-be-nice-to-haves, and what homes in your anticipated price range are actually selling for.

If you're planning to buy a home in Mid-Michigan, we can also start watching the local real estate market together.

You aren't necessarily shopping yet.

You're learning the market.

And that can become a huge advantage later.

After you've watched homes list, go pending and sell for a few months, you'll have a much better understanding of what represents a good opportunity when you're finally ready to buy.

Home Buying Tip #6: Learn the Home Buying Process BEFORE You're Living It

There's a lot that happens between saying "I want to buy a house" and getting handed the keys.

Preapproval.

Showings.

Offers.

Earnest money.

Inspections.

Appraisals.

Negotiations.

Underwriting.

Closing.

Trying to learn all of that while you're also emotionally invested in a house can make the process feel WAY more overwhelming than it needs to be.

Part of good home buying prep is simply understanding what's coming.

That's something I spend a lot of time doing with my buyers, especially first-time home buyers.

I don't want you signing documents because someone told you where to sign.

I want you to understand what's happening, why it's happening and what your options are along the way.

Home Buying Tip #7: You Don't Necessarily Need a Preapproval 6 Months Early

Here's an important distinction:

Talk to a lender 3–6 months early.

That doesn't necessarily mean you need to obtain your official mortgage preapproval six months before you're ready to shop.

Preapproval letters generally have a limited lifespan, and your lender can tell you when it makes sense to complete the formal preapproval process based on your timeline.

The early conversation is about preparation.

Then, as you get closer to actively home shopping, you can get your financing lined up so you're ready to make an offer when the right property comes along.

The Best Home Buying Prep Gives You Options

Imagine two different scenarios.

You find an amazing house on a Friday night.

In Scenario #1, you haven't spoken to a lender. You don't know exactly what you qualify for, what your payment might be, how much cash you'll need, or whether your financing is ready.

Now you're scrambling.

In Scenario #2, you've spent the last few months preparing.

You've talked to your lender.

We've discussed your home search.

You know your comfortable budget.

You've been saving.

You understand the buying process.

You've been watching the market.

And your financing is ready when it's time to shop.

Now we can focus on the important question:

Is this the right house for you?

THAT is why I encourage buyers to start early.

Buying a Home in Mid-Michigan? Let's Start Your Home Buying Prep

If you're thinking about buying a home in the next 3, 6 or even 12 months, you are NOT contacting me too early.

First-time home buyer?

Call me.

Not sure whether your credit is ready?

Call me.

Still saving?

Call me.

Don't understand mortgage loans?

Call me.

Have absolutely no idea where to start?

Definitely call me. 😂

You don't need to be ready to schedule a showing tomorrow.

We'll figure out where you're starting, get you connected with a trusted mortgage professional when appropriate, talk about your goals, and build a home buying prep plan that makes sense for YOU.

Because one of the best home buying tips you'll ever get is also one of the simplest:

Don't start preparing when you find the house you want to buy.

Start preparing so you're READY when you find it. 🏡🔑