If buying a home is on your list of goals for 2026, you may be wondering if there is still enough time to make it happen before the end of the year. The good news is that there is — but getting started sooner rather than later can make the process much smoother.

Fall can be a great time to start looking at your options. With fewer months left in the year, buyers who want to be in their new home before the holidays or before 2027 will want to have a plan in place.

Start With a Pre-Approval

Before you start seriously shopping, it’s important to know what you can comfortably afford and what loan options may be available to you.

A pre-approval gives you a better idea of your purchasing power and can help you move quickly when you find the right home. It also allows your lender to identify potential issues early, rather than waiting until you have a house under contract.

Your pre-approval can also change depending on your individual situation. Your income, credit, debts, down payment, and the type of loan you’re using all play a role in determining what you qualify for.

Don’t Assume You Need a Large Down Payment

One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a home is that you need 20% down.

There are a variety of loan programs that may allow qualified buyers to purchase a home with a much smaller down payment. FHA, USDA, VA, and other financing options each have different requirements, and there may also be down payment assistance programs available to eligible buyers.

The right option depends on your individual circumstances, which is why it is helpful to talk with a lender before assuming you need to save a certain amount.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Buying a home involves more than finding a house and signing paperwork. Once you are under contract, there are several steps that need to happen before you can close.

Your lender will need to verify income and assets, order an appraisal, complete underwriting, and collect any additional documentation that may be required. The title company, insurance company, real estate agents, and other parties are also working behind the scenes to get everything ready for closing.

If you’re hoping to close before the end of the year, starting the process now gives everyone more time to work through any potential issues.

This can be especially important for buyers who are self-employed, have multiple sources of income, are purchasing a property that needs repairs, or have other circumstances that require additional documentation.

Fall Can Be a Good Time to Shop

The spring and summer months tend to get a lot of attention from homebuyers, but that doesn’t mean fall is a bad time to purchase.

Depending on the market and the individual property, you may encounter less competition from other buyers than you would during the busiest months of the year. You may also find sellers who are motivated to get their homes sold before the holidays or the new year.

Every market and every home is different, so it’s important to look at the specific property rather than assuming that fall automatically means a better deal.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

If your goal is to be in a new home before 2027, now is a good time to start the conversation.

Even if you’re not ready to make an offer today, getting pre-approved and understanding your options can put you in a much better position when you do find the right home.

And if you discover that you’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay, too. Finding out what you need to work on now gives you time to make a plan instead of finding out after you’ve already fallen in love with a house.

At First American Mortgage, we believe the mortgage process should be about more than just getting you approved. It’s about understanding your options, knowing what to expect, and having someone available to answer your questions throughout the process.

If buying a home is on your list before the end of the year, let’s talk about where you are now and what it would take to get you there.