Where to Start When You're Not Sure You're Ready to Buy

October 19, 2026 By Rich Jones

A client opened our first conversation with “I don’t even know if I can qualify.” That’s a completely normal place to start, and honestly one of the easiest calls I get, because there’s nothing to fix yet. There are just questions to answer.

The four things that usually hold people back

In my experience, it almost always comes down to one of four things: the interest rate, home prices in general, saving up a down payment, or just not knowing where the process begins. Each has a real answer, but they’re different answers, and lumping them together is usually what makes the whole thing feel bigger than it is.

The rate. Today’s rate isn’t necessarily the rate you’re stuck with forever, since refinancing may be an option down the road. Whether it makes sense depends on your situation.

Home prices. This is often more about timing and location than it first appears, and it’s worth a specific conversation rather than a general worry.

The down payment. Many buyers put down less than 20%, and there may be programs that can help, especially for first-time buyers. You can see an overview on my loan programs page.

Not knowing where to start. That’s what this post is for.

You don’t need it figured out before you reach out

This is probably the biggest misconception I run into. People think they need a certain credit score, a certain amount saved, or a clear timeline before it’s worth talking to a lender. In practice, it’s the opposite. The earlier you reach out, even with zero answers, the more time you have to improve your position before you need to.

I’ve had clients call me a year or two before they were ready to buy, just to understand what they’d need to work on. Some paid down debt. Some worked on their credit. Some just needed to hear that they were closer than they thought. Every one of them was better off having that conversation early instead of guessing.

Start wherever you are

Whether you’re three months out or three years out, and whether you know exactly what loan you want or have no idea what your options are, the starting point is the same: a conversation. No pressure, no judgment. If the honest answer is “not yet,” I’ll tell you that too, along with what would need to change.

Send me a message through my contact me page with whatever you’ve got, even if it’s just “I don’t know where to start.” That’s plenty to begin with.

— Rich Jones

Note: Rates, fees, and program guidelines change often and depend on your credit, income, and property. This post is general education, not a Loan Estimate or a commitment to lend. Contact me for numbers that fit your situation.