: Don't see more than 5 houses a day—they’ll start to blur together [1.5.6].
: Keep 3–6 months of living expenses separate to handle surprise repairs [ 1.3.7 ]. 2. Get Mortgage-Ready Early 📝 Don't wait for "the one" to talk to a lender.
: Don't wait until you're under contract to find one. A good inspection can save you thousands by spotting foundation or roof issues early [1.5.6]. 4. The House Hunt & Closing 🏠
: Forgiving on credit scores (down to 580) and requires only 3.5% down [ 1.6.3 ].
: Many programs offer up to $10,000–$30,000 in assistance for down payments and closing costs [ 1.6.1 , 1.6.6 ]. Compare Loan Types : Conventional : Great for those with higher credit.