Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

We're planning on moving back to LI next spring and we're casually looking for a house now. . . it's more like we're checking out different towns to see what we like.

But when should we meet with a realtor? We'd like to be pre approved for a mortgage before we look.

We'd love to close on something in February or March and have time to work on it before moving in in late April.

We have zero wiggle room with our lease (ends May 1). I've heard about closing dates getting pushed back, etc. - I just dont know when we should really look with an intent to make a bid.

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

We were in a similar situation. Personally, I would start seriously looking now. It may take you a few months to find something you like. If you find something in OCt or Nov you will be on track to close in Feb or March. I would start going to open houses and see what's out there. THen maybe you will find a realtor that way unless you already know one.

We actually found our house at the end of Oct and closed at the end of March because our sellers will willing to wait a little (because they had just put the house on the market and needed time to pack up and move). We had to be out of our lease by April 30th so I totally understand.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

Ours in up June 08 and we have been looking for about 4 months, OOS. We plan on going down to NC at least 4-5 more times to check out areas and meet with REA. I think it takes a while, it is something you dont want to rush into.

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

Our lease was up March '07, and we started to look at the end of Oct. '06. We moved into our house the first week in Feb.

You want to assume it will take at least a month to close on any house you go after.

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

I would start seriously looking now...

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

I would start looking now. OUr lease was up in Jan '07, we started our "serious" looking in October of '06... we didn't close on a house until May '07

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

We were exactly in the same situation as you as far as time frame. we started looking seriously in September, found our house end of January and closed March 2nd. We moved in the last week of May. We looked at a lot of houses!!! A lot!!!!!

Re: Lease is up in May 08 - when do I 'seriously' look?

The sooner you start the better. Most people look at many houses over a period of time before they find the right one. DH and I looked for almost a year! We also had the situation of an apartment lease. It is almost impossible to time these things perfectly. We ended up breaking our lease a month early when we closed on our house. Lucklily our landlord did not put up a stink about it. I wrote him a very nice letter explaining our situation and he was very cooperative.