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Maybe you’re renting in an overpriced neighborhood and are sick of writing a huge rent check. Maybe you’re living in a yurt and miss having normal walls. Wherever you wake up, the same thought runs through your head every morning: “I want to buy a house!” But perhaps that want hasn’t yet translated into how to actually go about buying a house. That’s where this handy checklist on preparing to buy a home comes in.

Step No. 1: Boost your credit score

What do these three numbers have to do with buying a home? Well, pretty much everything. Your credit or FICO score—which reflects how dependable you are at paying bills—directly affects the interest rate on your mortgage and the amount of your monthly payments.

Most lenders require a minimum score of 620 for a mortgage (the U.S. average is 687), so you’ll want to do everything to lift your number before applying for a mortgage. The things that drag down the score include carrying an excess of debt, missing bill payments, or applying for too much credit. So can plain old mistakes.

“If you find out there are items on your credit history that you think are incorrect, immediately start working with someone to mitigate these issues and contact all three of the largest credit-reporting agencies directly,” says Joshua Arcus, president of Siderow Residential Group. These agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Step No. 2: Save, save, save

A home is almost certainly the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, and it’s a good idea to have a decent financial cushion for everything from a down payment to closing costs.

“Save money any way you can and, whatever you do, don’t buy things you can’t afford,” says Los Angeles Realtor® Jacqueline Gunn. And put off any big purchases or anything with a recurring payment—like that sexy new sports car—until after you buy a house.

“You need to show your expenses are low to afford more home,” she says.

Step No. 3: Figure out your budget

Think carefully about your entire budget—from student loans to groceries to your monthly Netflix subscription—when considering buying a home.

“It’s not only a mortgage payment you’ll be responsible for; it’s also homeowners insurance, repairs, and upkeep as well as real estate taxes,” says Naomi Hattaway of 8th & Home Real Estate. Add up every last expense to determine what maximum monthly output you can swing without stress.

Step No. 4: Find a good lender

You need to know exactly how much purchasing power you have to determine the top home price you can afford. To figure that out, you’ll need to find a mortgage broker. Take the time to interview three or four lenders. Talk to both local banks and credit unions, as well as national financial institutions.

“The interest rate shouldn’t be the only criteria when it comes to choosing a mortgage provider,” says Jill Frank, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Success. “Ask about fees, other services that are included, and ongoing customer service.”

Choose a lender that makes you feel comfortable, answers your questions, and takes time to educate you on the process of getting financially ready to purchase a home. This may include paying off debt, establishing a work history, and gathering documents.

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