If you plan to buy a home within the next year, you should start by consulting a local real estate agent to build a personalized timeline and game plan. Taking this step early helps you define what you want, address any credit or financing gaps with a lender, and prepare to make moves smoothly.
Month 12: Consult an Agent and Check Your Financing
Your very first step is sitting down with a local real estate agent to map out your goals. Right away, we help you define what you want in a home. Plus, we point you toward a trusted lender who can inspect your finances. This gives you plenty of time to fix any gaps in your credit or income. In fact, many buyers who think they are 12 months away realize they are ready to buy much sooner once they look at the numbers.
Month 6: Research Neighborhoods and Refine Your Wishlist
At the six-month mark, you should focus on familiarizing yourself with local neighborhoods and narrowing down your home features. You want to ask questions about local communities and figure out what environment fits your daily life. Because buyers get excited once they enter the market, you will naturally want to move faster. By getting clear on your non-negotiables now, you prevent confusion later when you start viewing properties.
Month 3 to Closing: View Homes and Make Offers
By the three-month mark, you need to actively look at home listings online and in person with your agent so you can start making offers. In our local market, the standard escrow period takes about 45 days. So, when you are three months out from your ideal move-in date, you are actually in the active shopping window. Having a strong game plan in place ensures you can make a competitive offer the moment the right house pops up.
Have more questions about how to buy a home within the next year? Visit spokanehomeguy.com or call 509-990-SOLD (7653) — we’re happy to walk you through it.
FAQ
Meeting an agent early lets you build a personalized strategy before you feel rushed. We help you clarify your home needs and connect you with a lender. This gives you time to boost your credit score or save for closing costs.
In our local market, closing escrow usually takes around 45 days from the time a seller accepts your offer. Because of this timeline, you should start actively viewing homes with your agent about two to three months before your ideal move-in date.
Yes, buyers frequently discover they are ready much earlier than expected. Once a lender reviews your financial profile, you might find that your credit and savings already qualify you to buy. So, your timeline can easily speed up.
