What’s the First Step in Buying a Home

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What’s the First Step in Buying a Home

Buying Your First Home? Don’t Skip These Starting Steps

Buying your first home can feel like stepping into a maze—credit scores, mortgages, listings, offers… where do you even begin? A lot of people assume the journey starts with browsing homes online. But the real first step is about getting your financial foundation solid. And good news: it’s easier than you think. Here are the three must-do moves to make before you start house hunting.

1. Check Your Credit Score (Yes, Now!)

Your credit score is like your homebuying passport—it determines where you can go and how easily you’ll get there. Lenders use it to decide what loan you qualify for and what interest rate you’ll get. Before you fall in love with a house, check your score. You can use Credit Karma, your bank’s app, or even some credit card portals. Don’t panic if it’s not perfect—just knowing it puts you in control.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a MortgagePre-approval is the secret weapon of confident buyers

It tells you exactly how much house you can afford—and shows sellers that you’re the real deal. It’s fast, it’s free, and it saves you from wasting time on homes outside your range. Pro tip: a pre-approval letter makes your offer stronger, especially in competitive markets.

3. Define Your Budget + Your Must-Haves

Knowing your numbers is only half the battle—you also need to know what matters most. Do you need three bedrooms? A backyard for your dog? A short commute? Clarifying your non-negotiables keeps you focused and less overwhelmed when listings start flying in. And setting a clear budget? That’s just smart planning.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Buying a home doesn’t have to be confusing. These three simple moves will give you confidence, clarity, and momentum. And if you’re ready to make progress today?

Download our free First-Time Homebuyer Guide — it walks you through what to expect, how to prepare, and how to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.

Or skip the reading and [schedule a 15-minute call with Jim’s team] — we’ll walk you through everything, no pressure.

Let’s start smart. Your future home is waiting.

Ready to Take Your First Step?

Skip the guesswork. Take our quick Discovery Quiz to uncover your top financial priorities, so we can guide you toward the wealth-building strategies that fit your life.

  • Takes just 5 minutes
  • Tailored results based on your answers
  • No credit check required
Take the Discovery Quiz

Need a Pre-Approval Letter—Fast?

Buying a home soon? Complete our short form and we’ll connect you with the best loan options for your target property and financial situation—fast.

  • Only 2 minutes to complete
  • Quick turnaround on pre-approval
  • No credit score impact
Get Pre-Approved Now

Got a Few Questions First?

Let’s talk it through. Book a call and one of our friendly advisors will be in touch to guide you personally.

Schedule a Call

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