If your lease doesn't end for another six months, you might think it's too soon to start looking at homes. In many cases, however, starting your search early can actually be helpful to you as a buyer.  Here's why...

The longer we've been looking at houses together, the greater amount of context you'll have about our local market. You'll start to understand what different price points get you in various neighborhoods, how quickly homes are selling, and what features matter most to you. That kind of insight is hard to gain in just a few weeks if you wait to start looking at houses.

Getting a head start also gives you the luxury of time. If you wait too long, you may find yourself feeling rushed or pressured as your lease deadline approaches. Starting now means you can explore your options at your own pace and move forward with confidence when the right home comes along.

Finally, in a low inventory market (like we're currently seeing in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County) when you explore houses for a longer timeframe (a few months instead of a few weeks) you will have more houses to consider.  Each house that hits the market won't be a perfect fit, so the more properties we can consider, the better your chances of finding one that you love.

Bottom line - you don't need to wait to start your home search until you're ready to make a buying decision. Home buyers who start a bit earlier usually find themselves to be more informed, to better understand market dynamics, and to feel less stressful.  So, if you're thinking about buying in the next 6 months, let's talk sooner rather than later.