The holidays have a way of shining a spotlight on our homes. Maybe you’re squeezing around a small dining table, or maybe hosting in a rental that doesn’t quite feel like “yours.” If homeownership is on your heart for 2026, now is the perfect time to start planning.

Here are a few powerful steps you can take before the new year:

1. Get clear on your “why.”
Do you want more space? A yard for kids or pets? To stop paying rising rent? Your “why” will guide every decision we make.

2. Take an honest look at your finances.
Without judgment, review:

• Current monthly rent and bills

• Debt (cars, student loans, credit cards)

• Savings and emergency fund

• How much you could realistically set aside for a down payment in the next 6–12 months

3. Explore loan options and price ranges.
A simple conversation with a lender (and me) can give you a rough idea of:

• What price range makes sense

• What your monthly payments might look like in different areas (San Antonio vs New Braunfels vs out toward the Hill Country)

• What timeline feels realistic

4. Start your “Neighborhood Vision Board.”
Make a list of areas you’re curious about—Garden Ridge, Stone Oak, Alamo Ranch, New Braunfels, Schertz/Cibolo, Canyon Lake, etc.—and what you like about each. Schools, commute, parks, trails, church, gyms, or local restaurants all matter.

5. Pick a target timeframe.
Do you want to be in a home by spring? Summer? Before the next holiday season? Having a target window helps us reverse-engineer your action plan.

If you’d like to make 2026 the year you celebrate the holidays in a home of your own in San Antonio, New Braunfels, or the Hill Country, we’d love to be part of that journey—no pressure, just a real conversation and a clear plan.