Zero to Keys: The 12-Month Roadmap
You don't have to be ready today. You have to start today. Here's the month-by-month version of how first-time buyers actually get it done.
Months 1–2 · Check your baseline
Pull your free credit reports (annualcreditreport.com), list every debt and its payment, and figure out your true monthly income. Then — and people always think this is too early — talk to a loan officer. A good LO a year out can tell you exactly what to fix and what to leave alone. It costs nothing.
Months 3–5 · Build your file
Three boring, powerful habits: pay every single bill on time, chip credit card balances down below 30% of their limits, and don't open new credit. Meanwhile, save what you can and research assistance — if you're in the Capital Area, read the CAFA guide now so you know what score and income targets to aim for.
Months 6–7 · Get pre-approved
Gather pay stubs (30 days), W-2s (2 years), tax returns (2 years), and bank statements (2 months) — the Pre-Approval Checklist has the full list. A real pre-approval reviews your actual documents and gives you a real budget, not a guess.
Months 8–10 · Shop with an agent
Pick a buyer's agent who works your area and price range. Tour with the House-Hunting Checklist in hand — in south Louisiana that means asking about flood zones, roof age, and insurance history on every showing. When you find it, your pre-approval letter goes in with the offer.
Months 11–12 · Contract to keys
Once you're under contract: inspection, appraisal, underwriting. Your job is simple — respond fast to document requests and change nothing financially (no new car, no new credit card, no job hopping if avoidable). Final walk-through, closing table, keys. Done.
Ready to find out your payment?
No pressure, no jargon, no commitment — just a real answer from a real person in Prairieville.