Whether you're planning to build, buy, or renovate in 2026, strong preparation turns a big decision into a confident one.
Home moves don’t usually happen on impulse. The homeowners who feel most at ease with their next step are the ones who take time early to understand their financial picture, explore their options, and plan ahead.
This checklist is designed to give you a clear, practical starting point — helping you organize your finances, anticipate key decisions, and move forward with confidence. Use it as a guide to prepare for whatever comes next, on your timeline and on your terms.
1. Check Your Credit Early
Before you look at listings, floor plans, or renovation samples, take a few minutes to look at your credit.
Why it matters:
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Strong credit can lower your borrowing costs.
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Identifying errors early gives you time to fix them.
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Prequalification and preapproval move faster when your credit picture is clear.
What to do:
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Review your report from the major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, Equifax.
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Dispute any inaccuracies.
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Avoid opening new credit lines or making large purchases during the planning phase.
2. Know Your Numbers: Equity + Budget Range
Understanding your financial foundation is essential — especially if you already own a home.
Estimate Your Current Home Equity
Your equity will help determine whether buying, building, or renovating is most realistic.
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If you plan to sell, equity can strengthen your down payment.
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If you plan to stay and renovate, equity may support a HELOC or home equity loan.
Clarify Your Budget Range
Rather than fixating on a rate or price, focus on what creates a monthly payment that aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
A quick conversation with a local lender can help you:
3. Plan Your Timing
Your timeline shapes your strategy, especially in a region where seasonality, school schedules, and construction calendars matter.
If you’re buying:
If you’re building:
If you’re renovating:
The earlier you map your timing, the more choices you keep open.
4. Explore Your Financing Options
Your next move is supported by one of three primary loan types. Each serves a different purpose:
Purchase Loan
Best for buying an existing home — whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating.
Construction Loan (Construction-to-Perm)
Ideal for building new. These loans fund the build in stages and then automatically convert to long-term financing once the home is finished.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A flexible option that allows you to fund renovations or upgrades while staying in your current home.
A lender can help you compare payment estimates, approval timelines, and documentation requirements for each option.
5. Stay Organized: Create a “Next Home” Folder
This simple step saves stress later — especially when multiple decisions are happening at once.
Your folder might include:
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Credit reports
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Income and asset documentation
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Prequalification or preapproval letters
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Contractor estimates
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Notes from conversations with your banker
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Wish lists, budget ranges, and timelines
Whether digital or on paper, a single place for everything keeps you prepared and confident.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Preparing early is one of the smartest moves you can make. It keeps you in control, reduces surprises, and ensures you’re ready when the right opportunity appears — whether that’s a perfect listing, a new build plan, or the renovation that transforms your current home.
Download Your 2026 Readiness Checklist
2026 Home Readiness Checklist
A practical guide to prepare for your next home decision — build, buy, or renovate.
✅ 1. Review Your Credit
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☐ Pull your credit report from all major bureaus
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☐ Verify accuracy and dispute any errors
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☐ Avoid new credit lines or large purchases
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☐ Ask your lender how your score impacts rates and approval timelines
✅ 2. Know Your Numbers
Homeowners
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☐ Estimate your current home’s market value
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☐ Calculate your available equity
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☐ Review remaining mortgage balance and terms
All Buyers
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☐ Determine a comfortable monthly payment range
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☐ Estimate potential down payment or cash needed
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☐ Review savings and emergency reserves
✅ 3. Plan Your Timing
If Buying:
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☐ Get preapproved before the spring market
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☐ Map out when to list your current home
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☐ Consider school-year timing, job changes, or lease end dates
If Building:
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☐ Meet with builders early to understand schedules
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☐ Review construction timelines and seasonal factors
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☐ Confirm land availability or zoning needs
If Renovating:
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☐ Get contractor estimates
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☐ Plan around material lead times
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☐ Understand seasonal construction windows
✅ 4. Explore Your Financing Options
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☐ Compare purchase, construction-to-perm, and HELOC options
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☐ Review estimated monthly payments for each scenario
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☐ Understand required documentation
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☐ Discuss rate-lock strategies or draw schedules (for construction/HELOC)
✅ 5. Get Organized
Create a “Next Home” folder — digital or paper.
Include:
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☐ Income & asset documentation
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☐ Tax returns or W-2s
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☐ Credit reports
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☐ Prequalification or preapproval letters
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☐ Contractor bids or builder proposals
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☐ Notes from lender conversations
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☐ Budget ranges and must-haves
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☐ Timeline targets
✅ 6. Meet with a Local Lender
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☐ Review your goals
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☐ Walk through your financing options
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☐ Get clarity on your budget
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☐ Build a step-by-step plan
You’re Ready When…
You understand your credit, know your equity position, have a clear budget range, and have mapped out your timing — and you’ve had a conversation with a trusted local lender who knows the local market.