Thinking about buying a home but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Many renters stay put longer than necessary simply because the home buying process feels overwhelming or out of reach. But here’s the good news: becoming a homeowner may be closer than you think.
If you’ve ever said, “I want to buy a house someday…”—this is for you. Here are five simple, actionable steps to help you go from renting to owning when the time is right.
1. Know Your Numbers
You don’t need a massive down payment to buy a home. Many first-time homebuyer loan programs offer options with as little as 0% down for qualified buyers, such as veterans or USDA-eligible applicants.
A quick conversation with a local lender can help you understand what’s possible based on your current income, debt, and savings. Not sure who to talk to? We’d be happy to connect you with a trusted lender in our network—this is one of the most important first steps.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Credit Score
Your credit doesn’t have to be perfect to buy a home, but understanding where it stands will help you plan smarter. Many lenders use the average of your three credit scores, and even small improvements—like paying off a credit card or fixing an error—can make a big difference.
There are plenty of free apps and tools to monitor your score. And if your credit isn’t quite where you want it to be, we can help you come up with a game plan to boost it.
3. Start a “Home Fund”
Even setting aside a little money each month can go a long way. Your future self will thank you when it’s time for things like home inspections, moving costs, or earnest money deposits.
Consider opening a high-yield savings account to maximize your savings. We can point you toward trusted banking options that offer great returns to help your money grow faster.
4. Learn About the Local Market
Knowledge is power—especially in real estate. Start browsing local listings and getting a feel for home prices in the neighborhoods you love. We recommend creating a personalized portal in our local MLS (Multiple Listing Service), where you can save searches, get real-time updates, and keep tabs on what’s available.
Contact us today, and we can get that set up for you!
5. Make a Plan—Not Pressure
Whether you’re hoping to buy in 3 months or 3 years, we’re here to help you create a plan that fits your timeline and goals—not push you into something before you’re ready.
A complimentary homebuyer consultation is the perfect first step. We’ll walk through your budget, ideal location, timeline, and next steps so you feel confident moving forward.
Let’s make your “someday” a plan.
If you’re ready to talk about next steps or just want to learn more, reach out anytime. We’d love to help you go from renting to owning—on your terms. Text “R2H Guide” to 910-232-6520 for your complimentary copy of our “Renter-To-Homeowner Guide” today!
P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
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