2025 Isn’t Your Year? Here’s How to Get Ready to Buy in 2026
It’s already August, and if you’re realizing that 2025 just isn’t your year to buy a home—you’re not alone. Maybe your dream home didn’t come up, interest rates were too high, or you just weren’t financially or emotionally ready. The good news? You still have time to regroup and make sure 2026 starts strong.
Here’s how to make the most of the rest of 2025 so you’re a serious, competitive buyer in the new year.
1. Strengthen Your Financial Position
Build or Rebuild Savings If your down payment fund took a hit or wasn’t where it needed to be, now’s the time to build it back up. A bigger down payment can help reduce your monthly mortgage and boost the strength of your offer.
Tackle Debt Focus on lowering high-interest debt like credit cards or personal loans. This improves your debt-to-income ratio—a key factor lenders consider when approving mortgages.
Polish Your Credit Score Even small improvements can save you thousands over the life of your loan. Review your credit report, dispute errors, and make consistent, on-time payments through the rest of the year.
2. Tighten Up Your Target Areas
With no pressure to move immediately, you have time to do deep research on the neighborhoods you’re interested in. Look at:
School districts
Walkability
Commute times
Recent sale trends Drive through your top picks at different times of day and follow listings closely to spot price shifts or trends.
3. Stay Connected with Your Agent
It might feel awkward to call your agent if you’re “not ready,” but staying in touch is smart. A good agent will:
Keep you updated on quiet listings and market shifts
Help refine your criteria based on what’s available
Offer guidance on timing and strategy
You don’t need to be actively looking to stay engaged.
4. Get a Jump on Pre-Approval
Mortgage pre-approvals are typically good for 60 to 90 days, but even a soft pull now can help you:
Identify your price range
Uncover potential credit or debt issues early
Compare lenders and lock in a good relationship
You’ll also get a feel for what a real monthly payment looks like, which can influence your saving strategy.
5. Organize Your Paperwork Now
Buying a home comes with a mountain of paperwork. Start gathering:
W-2s or 1099s
Pay stubs
Tax returns
Bank statements Getting organized now saves stress later and makes you more agile when you’re ready to act.
6. Create a 2026 Buyer Game Plan
Sit down and make a plan:
Set your budget (based on realistic pre-approval numbers)
Prioritize your wants vs. needs
Set a monthly savings goal
Create a moving timeline Treat it like training for a marathon. You don’t need to be perfect—just consistent.
Final Thoughts
Not every buyer’s path is quick and clean. If you’re sitting out the rest of 2025, use this time wisely. The buyers who take this time to prepare are the ones who win bidding wars, move fast on the right house, and end up happy homeowners in 2026.
The team at Great Lakes Real Estate is here to support you every step of the way—even before you’re ready to buy. Give us a call, (716) 754-2550 or visit greatlakesrealestate.com.
