When Should You Actually Start the Home Buying Process?
If you’re currently renting and thinking about buying a home, there’s one thing that surprises a lot of people:
You shouldn’t start the home buying process one month before your lease is up.
In reality, the best time to start is at least three months before your lease ends - and honestly, even sooner than that is never a bad idea.
Here’s why.
A Realistic Home-Buying Timeline
Buying a home doesn’t happen overnight. Even when things go smoothly, the process usually takes longer than most people expect.
A typical timeline looks something like this:
1–2 weeks to organize finances and get pre-approved with a loan officer
1–2 months for the actual home search (this can be shorter or longer depending on the market and what you’re looking for)
3–4 weeks for escrow once you’re under contract
That already puts you at roughly 2–3 months total, and that’s assuming there are no major delays.
Starting too late often leads to rushed decisions - or worse, feeling like buying just isn’t possible because the clock is ticking.
Why Starting Early Matters (Even If You’re “Not Ready Yet”)
Starting the process early doesn’t mean you’re committing to buying a home right away.
It simply means:
You understand your numbers
You know what price range makes sense
You have time to save, plan, or adjust if needed
You’re not forced into decisions because of a lease deadline
Even if your timeline shifts, starting early gives you clarity. And once the timing is right, you’re able to move forward with confidence instead of pressure.
The Mortgage Payment Myth Most People Don’t Know About
One of the biggest concerns I hear from renters is:
“I don’t want to pay rent and a mortgage at the same time.”
Totally understandable, two payments at once is a lot.
But here’s something many people aren’t told early enough:
Your first mortgage payment skips a month before it’s due.
Here’s how that usually works:
Offer accepted in January
Home closes in February
No mortgage payment in March
First mortgage payment due in April
So if your lease ends at the end of March, you could potentially buy as early as February without overlapping rent and mortgage payments.
This detail alone often changes how renters think about their timeline, and it’s one of the biggest reasons why starting early matters.
Final Thoughts
If you’re renting and considering buying, the biggest mistake I see is waiting too long to start the conversation.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need enough time to understand your options - without pressure.
The earlier you start preparing, the smoother the process tends to be when the timing is right.