Quick answer
Start earlier than you think, and start with a conversation. Christopher’s plan is simple: talk with a loan officer, gather your documents, and get prepared to move. If your credit and savings are in good shape, a few weeks before you start touring homes may be enough. If you need time to rebuild credit, save or wait out a past event, that plan could start months or years ahead.
Rules on this page were checked on against Valor Mortgage’s first-home guide. Program terms are subject to agency and lender guidelines and may change, and individual lenders can set stricter rules.
Three steps to get prepared
Transcript: So what do you need to do to get prepared to purchase a property in 2026? One, have a conversation with your local mortgage broker, myself. Two, start gathering documents together. And three, get prepared to move. If you need help, give us a call. My name is Chris. I work with Valor Mortgage, where you buy with confidence and buy with Valor.
What should you do, and when?
| Time before you want to move | What to do |
|---|---|
| A year or more | Have a first conversation, check your credit, and build a savings plan. Allow for any waiting period. |
| About 6 months | Hold off on new credit. Ask before paying off debt or changing jobs. |
| About 3 months | Gather documents and get prequalified or pre-approved. |
| When you’re ready to tour | Find your agent, make your must-have list, and have your letter ready. |
| Under contract | Move quickly on underwriting requests, and don’t change anything financial without asking. |
A general guide, not a promise of timing. Your file, your contract and your lender all affect the schedule.
How do you work backward from a move date?
If you want to be in by a certain date, count backward. Allow time to find a home, and then time from contract to closing. Christopher’s August video makes this point for a fall purchase. For a family moving before a new school year, that means starting well before summer. Your contract, the appraisal and your file all affect the closing date.
What if you aren’t close to ready?
A conversation can still be useful. On WSGI’s One Street Over, Christopher says he’ll talk with someone to build a plan that may run six months, two years or five years. Listen from 38:03.
- Credit: pay on time and learn what moves your score.
- Savings: see how much down payment you may need. It may be less than you think.
- Help: look at Tennessee down payment assistance.
What documents should you start gathering?
For a wage earner, Christopher’s list is 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s, two months of bank statements with all pages, and two forms of ID. Veterans can add a DD-214. If you’re self-employed, gather your tax returns, too. Keep these in one folder, so they’re ready to send when you need them.
More from Christopher on this
The best time to prepare for buying a home is before you're ready
So if you're looking to get prepared to buy this fall, let's have a conversation. Let's get you pre-approved to be able to purchase or at least let's just build a game plan so that you know exactly what to expect. If you want to buy with confidence, buy with Valor.
Buying this fall? Get pre-approved in August
If you're looking to get pre-approved for this fall, August is the perfect time to get pre-approved. Knowing the timing of when you need to purchase is also key to a confident purchase. So if you're looking to buy with confidence, buy with Valor.
Planning to buy a home in TN this spring? Start preparing now
If you're looking to buy a home this spring in Tennessee, this is what you need to do. One, give us a call. Two, start gathering documents together. And three, get prepared to move. So please give us a call to answer your questions so that you can buy with confidence and buy with Valor.
Getting ready FAQ
Can you get pre-approved too early?
It’s possible. Many letters are good for about 90 days and documents age out, so a pre-approval a year ahead would need updating. A plan or prequalification may suit you better until you’re close.
When is the right time of year to start?
There’s no single right season. Start based on when you want to move, and allow enough time to find a home and close.
What’s the very first step?
Have a conversation with a loan officer. It helps you find out what’s possible and which steps matter for you. See what to expect.
Where these rules come from
| Rule or figure | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Home buying steps | Valor Mortgage first-home guide | Updated Oct 26, 2026 |
| Applying for new credit | CFPB, what happens when a lender checks your credit | Nov 5, 2026 |
Related answers and guides
- Should you get pre-approved before looking at houses?
- What happens at a first mortgage consultation?
- Should you buy a house now or wait?
- More answers on buying a home.
- About Christopher Armantrout.
Call me at (615) 671-9178. That’s the fastest way to get a straight answer on what you’d qualify for and when to start for your move.
If it’s after hours, grab a time on my calendar. Pick a slot that works and I’ll call you then.
If your life is too chaotic for a phone call right now — I understand — start an application and I’ll review it and reach out with a plan.
Valor Mortgage, LLC · Christopher Armantrout, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1210804 · Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 · Licensed in Tennessee · Equal Housing Opportunity
724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 · (615) 671-9178 · christopher@valor.mortgage · NMLS Consumer Access
The dollar figures on this page are illustrative examples for general information only and are not an offer, a rate quote, or a commitment to lend. Actual interest rates and APRs vary based on loan program, borrower qualifications, property, market conditions and other factors. Program fees, limits and terms are set by the agencies named above and change without notice; all loans are subject to credit approval, income verification and property appraisal. Not all applicants will qualify.