1. Get an idea of your affordability

Most would-be home buyers need a mortgage to purchase a home. While the process has gotten easier as we’ve moved farther away from the financial and lending crisis, it can still be challenging if you’re not prepared.

Get in touch with a mortgage lender who can help guide you to what loan program or offerings will work best for your situation. They’ll analyze your situation and help you determine what you can afford.

Some buyers need to repair their credit, save more money, or shift money around in order to get approved fora loan. Use the next few months to address any financial issues.

2. Search and discover

The home-buying process often occurs naturally and may begin a year or more before the actual purchase. Most people start by looking at homes online. I encourage researching neighborhoods and starting to get a feel for what prices and how quickly homes are selling for in certain areas.

3. Dive in!

Once things start getting more serious, it’s time to start looking for a Realtor who will work well with you. Finding a great agent that has your back will prove invaluable.

Go look at homes in person. Yes there’s tons of data and pictures online, but seeing a bunch of homes in person is very important. The more homes you see, the more you will know about your local real estate market, and the more confidence you will have when that dream house comes along.