7 Habits of Highly Successful Home Buyers

From Just Jack — the guy who wins houses, not just shows them.

Jack is who buyers and sellers look to for integrity

Habit 1: Get Your Money Right Before You Fall in Love

Why This Comes First

The dream house you’ve been eyeing doesn’t care about your feelings — the seller only cares if you can actually close the deal.
If you’re not financially locked and loaded before you start shopping, you’ll lose the home to someone who is.

I’ve seen it countless times: buyers fall in love with a property, start picturing their furniture in the living room… and then their financing falls apart. Not only is that heartbreaking, it’s a momentum killer. Every house after gets compared to “the one that got away.”

Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification: Not the Same Thing

Think of pre-qualification as a handshake and pre-approval as a signed contract.

• Pre-Qualification: You tell a lender your income, debts, and maybe a ballpark credit score. They give you an unverified estimate of what you can afford. It’s informal, quick, and worth about as much as a Facebook “like.”
• Pre-Approval: You hand over pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns — the real deal. The lender verifies your information, pulls your credit, and issues a written statement saying, “Yes, this person is good for this amount.” Sellers take this seriously.

In competitive markets, a pre-approval is your ticket to even get in the game. Without it, your offer is basically a suggestion.

How Much House Can You Really Afford?

Your lender might approve you for $400,000, but that doesn’t mean you should spend $400,000. There’s your maximum budget (what the bank says) and your comfort budget (what still lets you sleep at night).

Jack’s Rule:
If you can’t afford your dream house and your dream vacation in the same year, you’re stretching too far.

A home is supposed to be a blessing, not a burden. Leave room for repairs, upgrades, and, yes, living life.

The Money-Ready Buyer Checklist

Here’s what I recommend you have in place before you tour your first home:

✅ Pre-approval letter from a lender.
✅ Down payment saved and ready (in an accessible account).
✅ Closing costs budgeted (plan on 2–4% of the purchase price).
✅ Emergency fund in case something breaks the first month.
✅ Credit score in good shape (no late payments, no big new debts).

Why This Habit Wins Homes

Imagine two buyers making offers on the same house:

• Buyer A: “I love your house! My lender said I’m good for it.”
• Buyer B: “Here’s my offer. Here’s my verified pre-approval letter. Here’s proof of my down payment.”

Who gets the house? Buyer B every time.

Story from the Field

I had a couple fall in love with a home on our very first day out.
They weren’t pre-approved yet, but swore they could “get it done fast.” By the time their paperwork was in, the house was gone.

Six weeks later, they found another property they liked. This time, we had everything lined up before we even walked in the door. We submitted their offer within hours — and they won without overpaying.

Jack’s Pro Tips

• Interview at least two lenders — not all rates and terms are the same.
• Ask about loan types — FHA, VA, conventional, etc.
• Lock your rate when you’re ready, but watch the deadlines.
• Avoid major purchases until after closing — that new car or furniture can wait.

Bottom Line

Get your financing in order first. When you shop with a pre-approval in hand, you shop with confidence, speed, and leverage.

Habit 2: Know What You Want — and What You Don’t

Why This Habit Saves You

If you don’t know what you want, the market will throw whatever it has at you — and you’ll waste time, gas, and sanity looking at houses you never should’ve stepped foot in.

Your Must-Haves vs. Your No-Gos

Must-Haves: Non-negotiables for your lifestyle.
No-Gos: Instant “not a chance” deal breakers.

Example:

• Must-Have: At least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, fenced backyard for the dog.
• No-Go: Less than 1,500 sq. ft., busy street, or HOA rules that make you want to scream.

The Buyer Compass Exercise

Step 1: List your Top 5 Must-Haves.
Step 2: List your Top 5 Deal Breakers.
Step 3: Share them with me so I can cut the fluff from your search.

Story from the Field

A couple told me they were “open to anything.” By the second showing, they refused to even look at a house with a steep driveway (Indiana winters, anyone?). We locked down their list that afternoon and found their house in 10 days.

Pro Tip:

Don’t get caught chasing shiny objects. The right house checks your real boxes — not just your Instagram boxes.

Habit 3: Move Fast but Don’t Rush

Speed Wins

In our market, hesitation can cost you the house. If you’re not ready to move when the right one hits, someone else will.

How to Be Ready

• Pre-approval done (Habit 1).
• Must-have list nailed (Habit 2).
• Flexible schedule for same-day showings.

But Here’s the Flip Side

Moving fast doesn’t mean skipping inspections or ignoring red flags. One bad foundation can wipe out years of savings.

Story from the Field

A buyer wanted to waive the inspection to “win” the deal. We did the inspection anyway — found a $40K structural issue. They walked. They thanked me later.

Pro Tip: Be fast. Be prepared. But don’t be reckless.

Habit 4: Trust Your Agent (Me)

Why This Matters

You have Google. I have experience, market intel, and the ability to negotiate like your wallet depends on it (because it does).

What Trust Buys You

• Off-market listings.
• Strategies for winning without overpaying.
• A BS detector for bad deals.

Author of:

• The Complete Guide to Buying a Home
• Selling Your Home in a Divorce
• Selling Secrets You Can’t Afford to Miss

Story from the Field

Client ignored my advice to include a specific contingency. Inspection revealed a hidden nightmare. Because we had other protections in place, they walked without losing a dime.

Pro Tip: Trust doesn’t mean blind faith — it means knowing I’m here to keep you from stepping in financial quicksand.

Habit 5: Don’t Get Distracted by Pretty

The Staging Trap

That beautiful couch? Not included. Those perfect flowers? Gone on closing day. Pretty is nice, but structure, location, and resale value are nicer.

What to Look At Instead

• Roof age.
• HVAC health.
• Layout that fits your life.
• Neighborhood trends.

Story from the Field

Sold a house with shag carpet and avocado appliances in a great district. New owners updated for $15K, gained $50K in value in 2 years.

Pro Tip: Pretty fades. Good bones pay off.

Habit 6: Play the Long Game

Think Ahead

Your future self will thank you for thinking about:

• Career changes.
• Family plans.
• Neighborhood growth.

Equity is a Game

Pick a home that can grow in value — through location, improvements, or both.

Checklist:

• Will it still work in 5–10 years?
• Can I upgrade it for value?
• Is the area getting better or worse?

Habit 7: Keep Your Cool in the Chaos

The Reality Check

Deals fall through. Inspections find problems. Closings get delayed.

My Job

• Handle drama so you don’t have to.
• Solve problems before they explode.
• Keep you focused on the win, not the noise.

Pro Tip: Emotional buyers overpay. Strategic buyers win.

Bonus Section: Myths, Inspections, & Negotiations

Myths Busted:

• You don’t need 20% down.
• The lowest rate isn’t always cheapest.
• Pre-approval is non-negotiable.

Inspection Tips:

• Hire your own inspector.
• Focus on big-ticket items first.
• Negotiate repairs with data, not emotions.

Negotiation Tips:

• Deadlines are leverage.
• Be willing to walk.
• Terms can beat price.



Closing: Your Next Move

If you’re ready to buy smart, I’m ready to make it happen.

📞 317-341-2474
📧 jack@justjack.Realtor
🌐 www.JustJack.Realtor

From Just Jack — I don’t just show houses, I win them.