When is the best time to start looking to purchase a home? I.E. start to look 6 months before move in date?

Question

What kind of time line from start to look, to mortgage approval to signing final documents to move in.

Answer 1

Normally it will take about 30 to 60 days from contract to closing.

But in the mean time I will suggest you to search online, so you may get some idea what the price is.

Move.com and your local MLS web site is a good start.

Answer 2

about 8-9 months...including the six months to look..

Answer 3

Six months is way too early to start looking for 'the' house that you want to buy. If you find it, there is a good chance it won't be there in 6 months.

I would start looking if you don't have a clue as to what you want in your home. That way you can get some ideas.

I don't know what your current situation is where you are living now but, if you are under a lease and you're worried about getting out at the exact time the lease is up, most places and people will work with you on that.

3 mo. is plenty of time to look and find the perfect place and to go through the approval and closing on the house.

Hint: Did you go through Pre-Approval? This will help alot and will let you know what price range to look for. Also, don't go lookiing at houses that you know you can't afford that have all the extra bells and whistle. You will be let down and disappointed in buying a house in your price range.

Hope this helps. Been there, done that. (a few times...lol)

Answer 4

You start looking when you've got the money jingling in your jeans.  There is not a whole lot to be gained by setting up a schedule because there can be many, many variables.

Answer 5

The typical closing (escrow) lasts about 30 days. If you are in a part of the country that does not have a lot of inventory (houses on the market) you would want to start looking in advance. If you live anywhere near my area, Las Vegas, there’s no big rush. We have over 20,000 houses on the market right now. With that many it doesn’t take more than a day or so to find what you're looking for.

Of course none of that matters if the moneys not there, so talk to a lender before you do anything. Good luck and happy house hunting.