Your 2026 home goals don’t have to feel overwhelming. By taking the right steps, from understanding your credit to connecting with a real estate agent, you can set yourself up for success and find a home that fits your needs and your budget.
Check Your Credit and Review Your Report for Errors
Your credit report lists your full credit history, while your credit score is the three-digit number calculated from that information. Before checking your credit scores, review your credit reports for accuracy. Errors on the report can lower your score and may lead to less favorable loan terms, or you may not be able to get a loan at all.
Get your free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official website authorized by federal law to provide you with these reports. Reviewing them several months before applying for a mortgage gives you time to fix errors and improve your credit score.
For more information about credit scores and your creditworthiness, meet with a HUD-approved housing counselor: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/find-housing-counselor
Need more info? Read how your credit score impacts home buying: https://www.nchfa.com/news/home-matters-blog/how-your-credit-score-impacts-your-home-buying-journey
Set Your Budget
Once you understand your credit, the next step is setting a realistic budget. Start by calculating your total monthly income and focus on your take-home pay, since taxes and other paycheck deductions reduce what you actually have available to spend. From there, track all your regular expenses so you know how much room you have for a monthly mortgage payment.
A good guideline is that your housing costs should take up no more than 30% of your monthly budget. This helps ensure you have enough left for everyday expenses and emergencies. It’s also important to remember that the mortgage isn’t the only cost of owning a home. You’ll need to plan for insurance, taxes, utilities and ongoing maintenance. You can read more about these costs here: https://www.nchfa.com/news/home-matters-blog/true-cost-home-ownership
Separately, consider your savings. This amount will determine how much you can put toward upfront expenses such as a down payment and closing costs, and lenders will want to see that buying a home will not completely deplete your savings.
You can use an affordability calculator to get a clearer picture of the home price range that fits your budget: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/resources-for-home-buyers
Get Preapproved
Once you’ve set your budget, the next step is getting preapproved for a mortgage. Preapproval gives you a realistic picture of how much a lender is willing to loan you. It also shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer, which can strengthen your offer in a competitive market.
To get preapproved, you’ll complete an application with your lender and submit documentation that verifies your finances. This usually includes proof of income, recent bank and asset statements and a form of identification. Your lender will review this information, run a hard credit check and determine how much they are comfortable lending you based on your financial profile.
If you qualify, the lender will issue a preapproval letter. This document outlines the loan amount you’re approved for, the general terms and how long the offer is valid. Keep in mind that preapproval isn’t a guarantee of final loan approval, but it is an important step that gives you clear boundaries as you begin looking for homes.
The Agency offers home buyer programs and mortgage products through participating lenders statewide. To get connected to a lender in your area, search here: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/find-lender
Start Your Wishlist
With your preapproval in hand, you can start focusing on what you truly need in a home. Creating a clear wishlist helps you stay grounded as you begin your search and prevents you from getting distracted by features that look appealing but don’t fit your priorities or budget.
Begin by identifying your non-negotiables. Location is often the biggest factor, so think about how close you need to be to work, school, public transit and essential services. From there, consider the size and layout you need, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms or specific accessibility features like ground-floor access.
Once you’ve defined your must-haves, you can add in any nice-to-have features. These extras can help you compare homes, but keeping them separate from your essentials makes it easier to stay on track and choose a home that truly fits your lifestyle.
Connect With a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent helps you find homes, submit offers, negotiate and manage paperwork throughout the buying process.
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency partners with Preferred Real Estate Agents statewide who have completed training on our mortgage products within the past three years. Find a preferred agent near you: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/find-real-estate-agent
Getting started on your 2026 home goals is all about taking the right first steps. By checking your credit, setting a realistic budget, getting preapproved, defining your home wish list and partnering with a trusted real estate agent, you’ll lay the foundation for a smoother, more confident home buying journey.