Do these 7 things before buying a house

1. Your credit score

This three-digit number can make or break your ability to get a mortgage and will affect what interest rates you can qualify for. Learning your credit score gives you an idea of where you’ll stand with lenders and whether it makes sense to work on strengthening your credit before applying for a mortgage. Higher credit scores help you qualify for lower interest rates.

» MORE: The credit score needed to buy a house

2. How much home you can afford

It’s a good idea to keep housing expenses to no more than 28% of your monthly gross income. That means monthly payments for your mortgage, property taxes, and homeowners insurance should not exceed that threshold.

You’ll also want to consider your total debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, when determining how much house you can afford. Your DTI is the portion of your monthly gross income that goes toward monthly debt obligations — including housing costs — plus car, student loan, credit card and other debt payments. A good DTI for qualifying for a mortgage is 36% or below. Lower is better for being able to budget for things like emergency expenses, and for comparison shopping for a home loan.

» MORE: Calculate how much home you can afford

3. Options for your down payment

The down payment is the upfront cash you pay toward the home purchase. Lenders offer a variety of mortgages with different down payment requirements. Many states and some counties and cities offer programs that combine mortgages with low interest rates with down payment assistance and help with closing costs. Explore your options to decide how much you’ll need to save for a down payment.

» MORE: First-time home buyer programs by state

4. How much you can borrow

Before you start looking at homes, apply for mortgage preapproval with at least a few lenders. A preapproval letter is a lender’s offer to loan you a certain amount under specific terms. Compare the offers to get the lowest rates and fees.

» MORE: How to get a mortgage preapprovalhttps://embeds.nerdwallet.com/cff/?form_id=372&nwaMode=embed

5. Condition of your local real estate market

Browse listing websites and check market reports from your local real estate agencies to learn about home prices, demand for homes and inventory of properties for sale. This will give you an idea of what prices are for homes in your area and how much competition you’ll face when making offers to sellers.

» MORE: 7 steps to buying a house

6. Where you want to live

Every city has distinct neighborhoods with their own personalities. How you want to live will determine where you’d like to live. How far are you willing to commute to work? What types of amenities do you want nearby? Do you want a bustling neighborhood with restaurants within walking distance or a quiet suburban area?

» MORE: Starter home vs. forever home: How to choose your first house

7. Type of home you want

A detached, single-family home isn’t the only option. Condominiums, townhomes and manufactured homes can be more affordable.

Consider your budget and lifestyle to decide what kind of home is right for you.

» MORE: Alternatives to buying a single-family home