- Most of us grow up thinking that to even think about buying a home, you need to have money ready.
- Before the saving, before the spreadsheets, you need to be clear on what you’re looking for.
- Browsing through listings helps you understand what’s actually available and what different homes are really going for.
- By the time you start saving seriously, you’re no longer guessing. You’re informed, prepared, and intentional.
Most of us grow up thinking that to even think about buying a home, you need to have money ready. And yes, money matters. Whether you’re paying cash or planning to go the mortgage route, financing is a big part of the process.
But that doesn’t mean you have to be ready to buy to start planning. You can begin even when you’re still figuring things out. In fact, understanding how home buying works before you start saving can make the whole journey feel less overwhelming and a lot more intentional. So before you even think about saving, there are a few things worth understanding first;
Table of Contents
Know What You Actually Want
This is always the real starting point. Before the saving, before the spreadsheets, you need to be clear on what you’re looking for. Not the perfect home, just what will actually work for your life.
Think about location, your daily commute, noise levels, space, and the small details that affect how you live day to day. Narrow down your non-negotiables, then be honest about where you can compromise. Getting this clarity early makes everything else easier, including how and what you eventually save for.
The Art of Compromise
If you’re not in a position to buy a home immediately, compromise is almost inevitable. But that doesn’t mean settling for something you don’t like. It simply means understanding that your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home.
Think of it as a starting point. Maybe the dream was a three-storey home, but for now, a well-located bungalow makes more sense. Location plays a huge role in pricing, after all. A bungalow in Kitengela, for example, will cost significantly less than one in Kikuyu, even if the houses themselves are similar.
Staying informed about pricing trends helps you make smarter decisions. Tools like BuyRentKenya’s quarterly Index Report are useful for understanding what different locations are really going for and where your budget can work hardest.
How to Verify Legitimacy
This part doesn’t get talked about enough. The real estate space has plenty of legitimate sellers and agents, but it also has its fair share of conmen. That’s why due diligence matters, even before you start saving seriously.
Take time to research who you’re dealing with. Look at their website, testimonials, and overall online presence. Visit their offices if you can. And no matter how good a deal sounds, never make a deposit without confirming that the property actually exists.
That saving period is the perfect time to do this homework. It costs nothing, but it can save you from very expensive mistakes later.
Get Familiar With The Market
One of the biggest advantages of starting early is that you get time to learn. No pressure, no rush, just observation.
Browsing through listings helps you understand what’s actually available and what different homes are really going for. Over time, you start to notice patterns. You see what’s common, what feels overpriced, and what consistently falls within certain ranges. That kind of familiarity builds confidence, but it also helps you budget more realistically.
Instead of saving blindly, you begin to save with intention. You know roughly what type of home your budget can support and where it can stretch, or where it simply can’t. Attending a few viewings, even casually, adds another layer of understanding. You get a feel for space, layout, and condition, things photos don’t always show.
All of this learning happens long before any money changes hands, but it quietly shapes how you plan, save, and make decisions later on.
Conclusion
Buying a home doesn’t start with money, it starts with understanding. Getting clear on what you want, accepting where compromise makes sense, verifying legitimacy, and taking time to learn the market all help you approach home buying with confidence rather than pressure.
By the time you start saving seriously, you’re no longer guessing. You’re informed, prepared, and intentional. And that makes the journey not only easier, but far more rewarding.
READ ALSO: From Dream to Doorstep: Your Homebuying Checklist in Kenya
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