What's the First Step If I Want to Buy a Home in 6 Months?

Serious Buyers Start with Planning

This question comes up all the time and for good reason.

Everyone starts with looking…but the serious buyers start with planning.

With home prices jumping, interest rates holding firm, and inventory still tight in Pembroke Pines, getting ahead of the process can make or break your experience (and your budget).

So if you’re thinking “maybe next year,” here’s what you should be doing right now.

Start with Strategy

The very first step isn’t picking a neighborhood or falling in love with a listing, it’s figuring out what you can realistically afford and what kind of loan works best for you. 

That means:

• Pulling your credit to check for surprises

• Talking to a lender for a soft pre approval or purchase plan

• Understanding your total monthly budget (not just Principal & Interest, but taxes, insurance, HOA, etc.)

• Figuring out your timeline — do you need to break a lease, sell a home, or save more?

Once you know what you’re working with, then you can start narrowing in on where and what neighborhoods, property types, and features fit both your lifestyle and loan limits.

What I’d Tell a Friend

Don't let HGTV fool you.

The hardest part of buying a home is not choosing the countertops.

It's being financially and mentally ready to make a smart move when the right house hits.

If you're 6 months out, now’s the time to get your ducks in a row. 

Connect with a local lender (not just an app), talk to a real agent (not just a chatbot), and get a plan together.

Because in this market?

The people who win are the ones who were ready before the house showed up.