How far in advance should we start househunting?

I know a ton of factors end up determining the length of time it takes between starting to look and actually closing on a home, so I guess I just want opinions or from your own experience - how long did it take between starting to househunt and getting into your home?

Or more specifically, if we want to be IN a house by spring 2012, when should we start the process??

Thanks!

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

it took DH and I over a year to get our house.

we just made sure we did not settle on a house. so we looked at a TON! it was tiring but worth it!

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

It took us 9 months from when we started to look, get approved for our mortgage up to our closing date. Same as poster above, we looked at a LOT of houses.. I went to see at least 60 in person, nevermind the countless online..

Would you be able to buy sooner than 2012? Because if you start looking now and find something you love, you may miss out on it.

ETA: Of course it differs for everyone.. my cousin loved the 1st house she saw and closed quickly. For others it could take more than a year...

Message edited 1/3/2011 2:11:22 PM.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

It took us 6 months from when we started looking until we closed, then another month until we actually moved in.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

We had some pretty specific criteria. It took us about 14 months of active searching.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

We looked for just about 2 years. 4 contracts late and 4 inspections later we found a house.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

we searched hardcore for about a month until we found our house. then we closed and moved in within 1.5 months. it was a pretty quick and easy process for us. but we both thought it would take much longer.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

It really depends on how long your list of "must have's" are... If you go too specific, it may take you forever to find your dream home... For us, once we started actually seeing condo's in person, we put an offer in on 1 a week later... We didnt have too many options and had to get in in time for the 1st time homebuyers credit

ETA: From first seeing the home until closing, it took about 3 months

Message edited 1/3/2011 3:35:20 PM.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

7 months from when we started looking until we closed!

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

We "virtually" househunted about a year out, started going to open houses about six months out and retained an agent about 4 months out.

You can sign up for MLSLI for free and have it send you emails every morning letting you know what houses have come on the market or had price changes that meet your criteria. This was so incredibly valuable, because by the time we retained an agent, I knew almost as much about recent sales and the market as she did (ok, well maybe not as much, but I'm kind of a know it all anyway).

Once we engaged an agent though, we found our house the second visit out. It was sooner than we wanted, but we didn't want to lose out.

When you find your house, the most a seller is normally willing to delay closing is 60 days (although 45 is more common I hear), so you have at least 2 months from the time you find your dream house!

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

start looking toward the end of this year if you want to be in the house by Spring 2012. i wouldn't wait any later than october 2011 -- you'll hopefully find something you like and get an accepted offer so that you can be in by the Spring of that year after the whole mortgage and closing fiasco.

Message edited 1/3/2011 4:28:59 PM.

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

get a preapproval first and then start looking. Our house was only the 3rd house we ever looked at so you never know!!

Re: How far in advance should we start househunting?

We looked at houses from May-September. We found our house September 30th and closed November 4th.