Before You Start House Hunting in 2026, Do This First

If buying a home in 2026 is on your radar, it can be tempting to jump straight into scrolling listings. But before you do, there’s an important step that can save you time, stress, and frustration later.

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is starting their search without clear goals. Before looking at homes, it’s important to get grounded in three things: your budget, your timeline, and your non-negotiables.

Your budget isn’t just what a lender approves you for it’s what feels comfortable monthly. Looking at the full picture means leaving room for things like taxes, insurance, utilities, and life beyond your house payment. A realistic budget helps ensure your home fits your lifestyle, not just your approval letter.

Your timeline also matters more than most buyers realize. The buying process looks very different if you’re hoping to move in three months versus twelve. We typically recommend starting the process about 90 days before you want to be moved in. That gives you time to meet with a real estate agent, talk to a lender, get pre-approved, start your home search, find the right property, and then close which usually takes about 30 to 45 days once you’re under contract.

Finally, your non-negotiables help keep emotions in check. These are the things you can’t easily change about a property, like location or layout. Getting clear on these upfront helps you avoid falling in love with a home that doesn’t actually fit your life long-term.

When buyers take the time to define these three things early, the process becomes far less stressful and much more manageable. This is exactly what we help our buyers walk through setting clear expectations, creating a plan, and guiding them step by step.

If buying a home in 2026 is on your radar, let’s have a conversation about creating a realistic game plan. And if you have any questions about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, we would love to help. 

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📧 Drew Francis
📧 Caitie Francis
🌐 FrancisHomeGroup.com