10/20/2026
🏡 Thinking about buying a home? Here are 3 ways to financially prepare BEFORE you start house hunting!
1️⃣ SAVE WITH A PURPOSE 💰
Buying a home involves more than just your down payment!
You’ll also want to plan for closing costs, inspections, moving expenses and having some money left over after you get the keys.
The good news? You don’t necessarily need 20% down to buy a home!
💡 My advice: Start setting money aside consistently, even if it’s a small amount. And before e you need to save tens of thousands of dollars, talk to a lender about
what options may be available to you.
2️⃣ UNDERSTAND YOUR CREDIT 📊
Your credit plays an important role in the homebuying process, but you don’t need perfect credit to become a homeowner!
A few things you can do now:
- Make your payments on time.
- Keep credit card balances manageable.
- Avoid opening new accounts or financing large purchases without discussing it with your lender.
- Review your credit reports for errors.
💡 Here’s something many buyers don’t realize: The credit score you see through your banking
app or Credit Karma may be different from the scores used for mortgage lending.
Don’t assume you’re not ready based on a score you see online. Let’s look at the bigger picture!
3️⃣ EDUCATE YOURSELF 📚
You don’t need to become a mortgage expert (that’s my job!), but understanding the process can make a HUGE difference in your confidence as a buyer.
Learn about:
- Different loan options, including Conventional, FHA, and VA loans.
- The difference between prequalification and a full preapproval.
- How interest rates, mortgage insurance, property taxes, and homeowners insurance affect your monthly payment.
- What closing costs are and how they work.
- Why your maximum approval amount isn’t necessarily what you should spend.
💡 My biggest piece of advice: Connect with a knowledgeable loan officer EARLY. You don’t have to be ready to buy tomorrow to start the conversation.
Whether buying a home is 3 months or 2 years away, having a plan can make all the difference!
