5 Steps to Begin The Home Search

March 05, 2026

Ready to find your home this season? There are so many things to do before move-in day. Here are a few things you should do to prepare yourself for a successful home-buying journey!

1. Know How Much You Can Afford

While the spring season can be a popular time to purchase a home, your financial readiness is the most important factor. The first step before beginning the home search is to know what you can afford. Be sure to think beyond the closing costs and down payment, and ensure you can comfortably pay the monthly mortgage payments. This includes HOA fees, repairs, furnishing, moving fees, and upgrades.

A helpful guideline when it comes to understanding what your monthly home payments should look like is the 28/36 rule. This guideline for home affordability breaks down the maximum cost you should spend per month with a front-end ratio of 28% and a back-end ratio of 36%. The front-end ratio is made up of what you spend per month on housing expenses, including your principal interest, property taxes, and homeowners' insurance. The back-end ratio refers to your DTI (or debt-to-income ratio), which is a calculation that compares your monthly income to all total monthly long-term debt payments. This is what lenders generally require, but remember that many other factors may affect how much house you can or should buy, including credit score, outstanding debt, the stability of your income, down payment, closing costs, and more.

One factor that may help you negotiate a better mortgage is your credit score. You can get a free report on your credit on sites like annualcreditreport.com. When you finance with CASFCU, you can get pre-approved before you shop to know exactly how much you can borrow. Pre-approvals are also a great way to negotiate a better home price. Knowing a general budget can help you decide what homes you can afford, or even if waiting to save and build your credit is a better decision. Once you’ve set your budget, avoid looking at homes that are well beyond your set price range. Save yourself the hardship of walking away from a home you love or going into debt later when you are unable to manage the steep payments.​

2. Create a List of Desired Home Features

What are the non-negotiables you have when it comes to owning a home? It’s best to create a list before beginning your search. Keeping your goals clear will save time, eliminate frustration, and make your decisions easier. Think about how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want, kitchen upgrades, the outdoor features you can’t go without, and more. Once you’ve defined the top items on your home wishlist, prioritize them. That way, if you need to sacrifice that pool in the backyard for an extra bedroom, you’ll know what matters most. By sharing this list with your realtor, you can save time for both parties.​

3. Do Your Research

Already set on a specific location? Make sure to research the neighborhood, nearby areas, and chat with locals if possible. Consider future plans, such as where your kids will attend school, and the career opportunities nearby if you’re not willing to commute.​

Don’t skip the inspection! Spring is an ideal time of year to complete a thorough inspection before summer arrives. Uncovering any hidden issues with the home could give you increased bargaining power. Buying a home you can afford includes any renovations that need to be completed. Ensure you are confident in the inspection and fully aware of any issues with the home, as home improvements can get expensive quickly, and may interfere with your ability to make monthly home payments with ease.​

4. Find a Reputable Realtor

A key step for a smooth home-buying journey is finding a realtor with an excellent track record. Know what your priorities are for a great realtor before beginning your search. Consider preparing a list of questions to discuss with your realtor before officially partnering with them. Ask friends who have recently bought homes who their realtor was, what their experience was like, and which beneficial qualities the agent had. Once you have a personal recommendation, check their Google reviews to find out if they consistently sell homes to happy clients.​

If you don’t have any personal recommendations, there are a few options you can try. Browse sold homes on Zillow or Realtor.com in the area that fit your set criteria. Then, scroll to the bottom to find the associated agent. Reach out to the buying agents to get their recommendations on realtors they’ve worked with, or contact the selling agent with the most homes in your desired area that fits your goals. Another option is to simply search online for realtors in your area, research their credibility, and then meet with them to determine if they could be a good fit.​

5. Choose Smart Financing 

When you’re ready to finance your home, consider your local credit union! As a member of Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union, you can borrow up to $400,000 with terms up to 30 years. While closing costs vary, there is no minimum term or origination fee with CASFCU mortgages.​

Contact us to get started with helpful and knowledgeable mortgage loan specialists who will help you find the mortgage terms that work for you. Whether you’re buying your first home, ready to move, or simply refinancing to save money on your monthly payments, CASFCU can help.