Start with a plan before the home search

Before touring homes, buyers can start by understanding their finances, the reason for the move, their timeline, and the priorities the next home needs to meet. Those decisions give the search direction before a listing starts to influence the plan.

In episode 32 of Key Conversations, CJ and Katy Norman walk through those early steps, including a simple “3 + 3” exercise for separating non-negotiables from nice-to-haves. The conversation applies to first-time buyers, households looking for more space, downsizers, and buyers considering lakefront property.

Episode 32 · September 16, 2026 · 41 minutes, 7 seconds · Watch on YouTube

What monthly payment would actually feel comfortable?

A useful starting point is the buyer’s savings, income, existing debts, and the amount they want to spend each month. The episode draws a distinction between what a lender may approve and what the household would choose to spend.

To apply that distinction, buyers can consider the proposed housing payment alongside ordinary spending, savings goals, and the room they want to keep for unexpected costs. The home search should reflect that preferred budget, rather than automatically using the highest possible purchase price.

What does debt-to-income ratio measure?

Debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, compares monthly debt payments with gross monthly income before taxes and deductions. The CFPB’s DTI explanation describes how lenders use it and notes that limits vary by lender and loan product.

Why move, and how long should the next home work?

The reason for moving helps determine which tradeoffs make sense. A home meant to solve a short-term space problem may be evaluated differently from one intended to support a decade of changing needs.

CJ and Katy encourage buyers to think beyond today: changes involving children, work, aging parents, lifestyle, maintenance, and eventual resale. The point is to identify likely needs before choosing a home around its most appealing feature.

A clear timeline also helps turn a general goal into a plan. Buyers can distinguish a firm deadline from a preferred season or a move that only makes sense if the right property becomes available.

Different moves call for different priorities

The episode compares several types of moves because the same feature can have very different value from one household to another. A useful list connects each requirement with the problem the move is supposed to solve.

The “3 + 3” exercise: six priorities before the first showing

CJ and Katy’s exercise starts with three non-negotiables and three nice-to-haves. Keeping the lists short encourages buyers to decide which features would actually determine whether a home works.

The next question is whether each feature could realistically change later. Location and the underlying lot deserve a different kind of attention from paint or finishes; larger changes to a home require a closer look at feasibility and cost.

The examples will differ for every buyer. The value of the exercise is knowing which list a feature belongs on before a showing creates pressure to compromise.

When should a buyer call a Realtor?

Buyers do not need to have everything figured out first. A general understanding of finances, the reason for moving, timing, and priorities gives a Realtor a useful starting point for helping develop the plan.

That early conversation can reveal which questions still need answers, what to discuss with a lender, and what to look for when comparing homes. It can also help a buyer decide whether to start searching now or spend more time preparing.

CJ and Katy Norman of Norman Homes help buyers in Mound, around Lake Minnetonka, and throughout the west suburbs of Minneapolis connect those priorities with actual properties. Their approach centers on making a decision that fits the client’s plans, without a forced timeline.