New Year, New Home: 5 Financial Resolutions for Buyers Planning to Purchase This Year

If buying a home is one of your goals this year, you don’t need a complete financial overhaul – you need focus.

Every January, I talk to future homeowners who feel like they’re “behind,” unsure where to start, or worried they’ve already missed their window. The truth is, most successful buyers don’t do everything right. They do the right few things consistently.

For military buyers especially – where timelines, PCS orders, and benefits come into play – clarity matters more than perfection.

→ How to Buy a Home Before PCS Orders Drop

These five financial resolutions are the ones that actually move buyers forward when homeownership is a goal for this year.

Resolution #1: Know Your Real Buying Power (Not Just Your Preapproval)

A preapproval is important – but it’s not the whole story.

What matters just as much is:

Your comfortable monthly payment
How that payment fits into your real life
Whether it works with PCS timing, savings goals, and flexibility

Many buyers qualify for more than they want to spend, especially with VA loans where down payments aren’t required.

A better question than “How much can I buy?” is:

“What payment still feels good six months from now?”

That’s the number that should guide your search.

Resolution #2: Clean Up Credit Strategically (Not Obsessively)

You don’t need perfect credit to buy a home – especially with VA loans – but you do need clean credit.

That means:

Paying everything on time
Avoiding new debt right before buying
Not closing old accounts without guidance
Asking before making financial changes

I’ve seen buyers unintentionally hurt their buying power by trying to “fix” credit without a plan. Small, targeted improvements – made early – usually go much further than last-minute scrambling.

If buying this year is the goal, now is the time to ask a lender what not to do.

Resolution #3: Build a Buffer, Not Just a Down Payment

Even buyers using zero-down VA loans need cash on hand.

That buffer helps with:

Inspections and appraisals
Moving expenses
Initial maintenance
Peace of mind

A strong financial position isn’t about draining your savings to buy – it’s about buying without feeling stretched.

One of the biggest confidence boosts buyers get is realizing they can purchase a home and still sleep at night.

Resolution #4: Stop Waiting for “Perfect” Market Conditions

This is a big one.

Most buyers don’t buy when the market feels calm – they buy when life pushes them forward. PCS orders, family changes, job shifts, or timing realities often matter more than interest rate headlines.

Interest rates, prices, and inventory will always fluctuate. What doesn’t change is the value of:

Buying when you’re financially ready
Choosing a home that works for your timeline
Having a plan for flexibility

→ How Interest Rate Changes Impact Military Buyers in San Antonio

Waiting for everything to line up perfectly usually leads to waiting longer than intended.

Resolution #5: Get Clear on Your Timeline Before You Tour Homes

This is where many buyers get tripped up.

Before you fall in love with a house, you should know:

When you realistically want to move
How long you might stay
Whether this is a short-term or long-term hold
What flexibility you have if plans change

For military buyers, this matters even more. PCS timelines, future assignments, and resale or rental potential should influence decisions early – not after emotions get involved.

Homes should fit your plan, not rewrite it.

A Note for Military Buyers Planning to Purchase This Year

Military buyers often have advantages they don’t fully account for:

VA loan benefits
Stable income
Predictable housing allowances
Strong long-term demand in military markets

But those advantages work best when paired with strategy.

Buying this year doesn’t require rushing, it requires preparation and clarity.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home this year isn’t about chasing the market or forcing a timeline.

It’s about:

Knowing your numbers
Making smart, intentional financial moves
Being ready when the right opportunity appears

If homeownership is one of your goals this year and you want help turning these resolutions into a realistic plan, I’m always happy to talk through next steps.

The most successful buyers don’t guess – they prepare.

Jennifer Anderson is a San Antonio Realtor who helps buyers make informed decisions by combining local market expertise with straightforward education. She works extensively with relocating families and VA buyers on the far west side of San Antonio, guiding clients through each step of the home buying process with clarity and confidence.