Buying a home is likely the largest purchase that you will ever make. Before you jump into the process, it is important that you are prepared and ready to pull the trigger to get a house under contract. Below is a quick list of things that a buyer should think about both before and during the home buying process to get you ready to go.

Recently, the credit availability index has reached an all-time low, with mortgage credit becoming increasingly available. The Housing Finance Policy Center found that during the fourth quarter of 2015 it was easier for homebuyers to secure financing than it was during the previous quarter. This low marks a possible light at the end of the tunnel of the housing crash, as credit availability is an important indicator of the conditions of the market. Following the housing crash, lending standards tightened and it became more difficult for prospective buyers to get a loan.