10 Things Everyone Should Know Before Buying a Home in 2026 Pre-approval comes first Before falling in love with a home, know exactly what you can afford. It strengthens your offer and saves time. Interest rates matter — but strategy matters more Waiting for the “perfect” rate isn’t always the best move. The right strategy can outweigh small rate changes. Your monthly budget is more than the mortgage Factor in taxes, insurance, utilities, condo fees, and maintenance. The market is still competit