10 Things to Do Now If You Want to Buy a Home in 2026

Preparing to buy a home can take time, especially if it’s your first one. A little forethought early in the process will go a long way when you’re ready to make your move. If you plan to buy a house next year, here are a few important things to start doing now. These simple steps will help streamline the process, make the experience less daunting, and provide confidence that you’re making the right moves, toward your big move.

1. Contact a REMAX Agent

Buying a home on your own may seem like a good way to save money; however, taking the DIY route can be counter-productive. An experienced real estate agent knows where to find what a prospective homebuyer is looking for, how to craft a compelling offer, will help navigate the intricacies of a contract, and provide invaluable advice on the best steps to buy a home.

Working with a professional agent means having someone to bounce ideas off of, someone who will advocate for your best interests, and someone with in-depth knowledge of the local market.

2. Keep an Eye on the Market

Local market conditions matter a great deal when you’re buying a home. One market may be a buyer’s market with plenty of inventory, while another could be a seller’s market with tense competition. It’s important to understand the market conditions in your specific area.

A real estate agent can review comparables in the neighborhood you’re eyeing, to determine the selling price for similar properties. That knowledge can help the buyer make a realistic offer and provide a sense of their negotiating power, based on real market conditions.

3. Have Your Down Payment Ready

Saving for a home can be one of the most challenging aspects of the buying process. At the time of writing this blog, the average cost of a home in the United States is $448,000. While a 20% down payment is still standard, there are other financing options available. For example, a 20% down payment on $448,000 is almost $90,000. However, with FHA loans, you may only have to put as little as 3.5% down, bringing your down payment closer to $15,000.

There are pros and cons to making a lower down payment. The clear advantage is being able to purchase a home with less money saved upfront. However, FHAs loans also come with some drawbacks. They typically require private mortgage insurance, which is an added monthly cost that protects the lender in case of default.

4. Improve Your Credit Score

Debt can make or break a home purchase. It’s not that you can’t have any debt. In fact, part of building credit score requires taking on some debt and responsibly managing it. The most important factor is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of money you earn (pre-tax) compared to the amount of debt payments made each month.

Common debts include student loan payments, alimony, auto loans and more. Monthly discretionary spending such as food and health insurance are not classified under DTI. The best way to work on your credit score is by paying bills on time, reducing credit card balances, and avoiding opening new lines of credit.

5. Get Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage shows sellers that you’re serious about buying a home. However, getting pre-approved doesn’t mean your loan amount is set in stone. In fact, it can fluctuate once you apply for the loan once the lender takes a deep dive into your finances. In markets that are competitive, some sellers won’t even consider buyers unless they are pre-approved. This step allows you to understand your homebuying budget and shop with confidence.

6. Avoid Any Major Financial Changes

Lenders look for any big purchases that might affect your DTI and overall financial picture, like a car. If your loan is approved and you present your finances in one way, then make a big purchase like a car, the lending company may retract their offer or significantly delay closing.

This happens for a couple of important reasons. First and foremost, you’re adding another expense that was not taken into consideration when you first applied for the loan, which changes your DTI ratio. Second, it can make you appear financially unreliable or even dishonest.

7. Define Your Must-Haves vs. Your Nice-to-Haves

When you’re shopping for a home, expectations and reality can collide. One partner may think that having a two-car garage is a must-have, while the other may consider a pool as a “must-have.” Oftentimes, both of these desirable amenities come with a higher purchase price. Create a list of your immediate must-haves like number of bedrooms and proximity to work or school. From there, list your nice-to-haves, such as a big backyard or an extra bathroom.

8. Choose a Location

Some people prefer city living, others want a rural landscape, and many are looking for something in between, in the form of a suburban neighborhood. These different environments all come with different price points. Deciding which area is right for you and your family can help narrow down your search, from a property and a budget perspective. Property prices are often impacted by factors such as school districts, local amenities, commute times, and future development plans.

Research different neighborhoods thoroughly, and tap into your REMAX agent’s expertise. Visit prospective neighborhoods at different times of the day, and chat with the locals to get an idea of what it might be like to live there. Make sure the commute is manageable, and consider long-term appreciation value.

9. Browse Listings

Now that you’ve done all that hard work, it’s time for the fun part — shopping! Though you probably already have ideas and have been casually looking at listings, now is the time to get serious and intentional.

Refer to your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, and evaluate properties based on your research. Look critically at what you really want and need in a home, and what you can realistically afford. Are you in the market for a starter home for the next five years? Are you a move-up buyer looking for your forever home? Are you downsizing? These are all important questions to ask yourself when searching for the right listing.

10. Build a Post-Purchase Fund

Many people think their down payment, and the mortgage payments that follow, are the only financial tasks on the homebuyer’s to-do list, but there’s the significant cost of moving in and caring for your new property. Before you even move into a home, closing costs can add to your expenses. These typically cost 2-5% of the home’s value. On top of that, not all homes are perfect when you move into them, even newly built ones. A roof may need repair, a water heater might give out, or you may discover issues during the first few months, requiring repairs that can cost thousands of dollars.

A homeowner can spend around $6,600 on their home* every year, and that doesn’t include the initial moving-in costs like furniture, decor, landscaping or repairs. Make a list of anything you’ll need to fix or buy when moving in. Window treatments, rugs, cleaning supplies, dish ware, artwork, and tools are just some more examples of expenses you’ll face when moving in. Many of these purchases are easy to overlook during the excitement of homebuying.

It’s Best to be Prepared

These steps are super helpful if you’re thinking of buying a home next year. Even if you’re one of the most prepared people, there will be bumps and conflicts along the way. The best thing to do is prepare and then have a plan when your plan goes wrong.

If you get ahead, do your research, get pre-approval for a mortgage, and start talking to a real estate agent, then you’ll be at a very great starting point. Do your due diligence, make sure you know what you want in a home, and you’ll be moving into your new home next year in a breeze.

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