A step‑by‑step plan to get you mortgage‑ready in 5–8 years—without guesswork. Start with a simple budget, build credit the right way, invest for your down payment and closing costs, and lock in a plan to lower your future interest rate.

Who this is for:

• Future first‑time buyers who want a clear plan
• Renters rebuilding credit
• Anyone starting from $0–$200/month savings who wants a home in 5–8 years

How the plan works (4 phases)

Phase 1 — Budget + Cash Flow (Months 1–3)

• Pick a budgeting app: (Affiliate Link Placeholder #1)
• Set your Starter Target: $15–$25/day, 5 days/week → $300–$500/month saved
• Create sinking funds: Down Payment, Closing Costs, Emergency (1–2 months rent)
• Auto‑transfer on payday. No manual willpower needed.

Phase 2 — Credit Build/Repair (Months 1–18)

• Pull full tri‑merge or consumer reports and list negative items
• Set up payment calendar + autopay on all revolving accounts
• Target metrics by Month 12–18:
  • Utilization under 9% on each card
  • No new late payments
  • 2–3 active tradelines aged 12+ months
• Tools (placeholders): Secured Card (Affiliate #2), Experian Boost alternative (Affiliate #3)

Dispute/Repair Framework

1. Verify accuracy (dates, balances, ownership)
2. Goodwill letters for isolated lates
3. Pay‑for‑delete only when cost/benefit is clear
4. Avoid closing oldest cards; keep average age strong

Credit Milestones

• 620: Minimum viable for many programs
• 640–660: Better pricing options
• 680–700+: Strong approval odds and lower MI

Phase 3 — Invest While You Wait (Years 1–5+)

• Open a retirement or brokerage account: (Affiliate Link Placeholder #4)
• Contribution target: $300–$600/mo automatic
• Roth IRA strategy: Contributions can be withdrawn tax‑ and penalty‑free anytime; earnings up to $10,000 may be used toward a first‑time home purchase after 5 years (confirm rules before withdrawal).
• Consider a split: 70% long‑term retirement, 30% Home Fund

Example Path (Illustrative)

• $400/mo for 5 years at 8% avg return ≈ ~$29,000 balance
  • Potential uses: down payment, closing costs, points to buy down your rate

Important: Investing involves risk and isn’t guaranteed. Returns vary. See disclosures below.

Phase 4 — Pre‑Approval to Keys (Months 60–96)

• Mortgage Readiness Check (free checklist + call)
• Optimize DTI: Pay down balances; avoid new loans in final 120 days
• Lock in seller concessions plan to cover closing costs and rate buydown
• House hunt with [Your Name] for the best payment/price combo

What you’ll get here

• A clear savings + credit roadmap
• Tools (apps/cards/investment accounts) that make the plan automatic
• Quarterly check‑ins and annual plan tune‑ups
• When you’re ready: full mortgage pre‑approval and home search support

Start here (Free tools)

• 1) 10‑Minute Budget Setup → (Affiliate Link #1)
• 2) Credit Health Checklist (PDF) → Instant download
• 3) Home Fund Calculator → See how $300–$600/mo adds up over 5–8 years

CTA Button:Start Your Mortgage‑Ready Plan

Rate Buydown Game Plan (Why saving extra matters)

• Example: Buying points can lower your payment $150–$300/mo depending on loan size/rates
• Use seller concessions + your saved points budget to hit a comfortable monthly payment

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I really use Roth IRA money for a home?
  You may withdraw contributions anytime; earnings have additional rules including a 5‑year clock and a $10,000 lifetime cap for first‑time home purchase exceptions. Check the latest IRS rules and talk to a tax pro before acting.
• What credit score do I need?
  Program minimums vary by loan type and lender overlays. Generally 580–620 gets you in the conversation; higher scores improve pricing and terms.
• How much do I need for closing costs?
  Plan for ~2–4% of the purchase price; seller concessions and lender credits can offset.

About Me

Licensed loan officer & real estate agent. I help renters become buyers with structured plans, not platitudes.

Book a Free Plan Call
15 minutes to map your starting point and next three action steps.

Disclosures & Compliance

• Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
• Not Financial/Tax Advice: Educational content only. Consult a licensed financial advisor or tax professional for personalized advice.
• Mortgage/RESPA Compliance: I do not accept anything of value from settlement service providers in exchange for referrals. Affiliate links here are for budgeting and investing tools unrelated to settlement services.
• Investment Risk: Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
• Privacy: Your information will never be sold. See Privacy Policy.