If buying a home feels like something you should be doing — but haven’t — you’re not alone.
A lot of people thought 2024 or 2025 would be “their year,” and it just didn’t happen. Life got expensive. Rates were high. Kids, jobs, credit, savings… something always got in the way.
Here’s the good news: most people who eventually buy a home don’t get there by making one big decision. They get there by building small habits over time.
That idea comes straight from Atomic Habits by James Clear — and it applies perfectly to home buying.
1. Stop Saying “Someday” — Start Becoming a Homeowner
One of the biggest ideas in Atomic Habits is identity-based habits. In other words, real change happens when you start seeing yourself differently.
Instead of:
“Someday I’ll buy a house…”
Try:
“I’m someone who is preparing to buy a home.”
That shift alone changes behavior.
You start doing small things differently:
checking your credit instead of avoiding it
asking questions instead of assuming you won’t qualify
saving something, even if it’s not much
You don’t wake up one day magically “ready.” You become ready.
2. Small Wins Matter More Than Big Plans
Most buyers don’t fail because they aren’t motivated. They fail because the goal feels too big.
You don’t need to:
save a full down payment overnight
understand every mortgage option
make a five-year financial plan
Small habits that actually move the needle:
setting up an automatic transfer (even $25–$50)
paying down one credit card
meeting with a lender just to ask questions
learning what price range actually feels comfortable
Tiny steps compound — and momentum builds quietly.
3. Make Home Buying Feel Less Overwhelming
When something feels confusing, we avoid it. Home buying is no different.
An easy habit? Make the next step obvious:
save a lender’s contact in your phone
bookmark first-time buyer programs
set a calendar reminder to “check in” every few months
You don’t need to do everything at once. You just need to know the next step.
4. Tie the Habit to the Life You Want
Saving money is boring.
Buying a home isn’t.
Instead of thinking:
“I should save for a down payment…”
Think:
When habits are tied to a real-life upgrade, they stick.
5. You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Start
Let’s clear this up:
You do need:
Preparation doesn’t lock you in. It gives you options.
6. Progress Counts — Even If You’re Not Buying Yet
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking the only “win” is closing day.
Wins also look like:
Those steps matter. They’re how people actually end up buying — even if it takes time.
Final Thought
If buying a home feels far off, that’s okay.
The habits you build now still matter.
If you want help creating realistic home-buying habits — without pressure or timelines — I’m always happy to talk.
Sometimes the smallest steps lead to the biggest changes.