What do you actually need?

Not what sounds nice in theory—what do you need for your life right now? Number of bedrooms, proximity to work or schools, yard size, neighborhood vibe. Write it down. Then separate "must-haves" from "nice-to-haves." You'll thank yourself later when you're comparing properties.

What’s your timeline?

Are you looking because you need to move in 60 days, or because you're starting to think about it for next year? Timeline impacts everything—how aggressive your offers need to be, how flexible you can be on closing dates, how much negotiating room you have.

What can you afford?

And by that, we don't just mean the mortgage payment. Factor in property taxes (they're real in Texas), homeowners insurance, HOA fees if applicable, maintenance costs, and the reality that things break. A good rule of thumb: if the monthly payment makes you nervous, it's probably too much.

Get your finances In order

Pull your credit report and make sure there aren't any surprises. Start saving for your down payment and closing costs (figure 3-5% of the purchase price for closing costs alone). If your credit needs work, handle it now—not when you've found a house you love.