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When should I start the mortgage process?
March 12, 2026 · 4 min read · Tom Stafford
Even if you are six months out, starting now is how you find out whether credit needs work before you are ready to write an offer.
Today. If you know your credit is good, we’ll go over income, liabilities, and what you are comfortable with for a mortgage payment. That gives you a really good feel for the price range your Realtor should search.
If you aren’t 100% sure that your credit is excellent, now is the perfect time to find out. Anything that needs to be addressed can still be addressed — and you can still be ready to buy when the time is right.
When I pull credit, I see today’s scores and your potential scores. I can run a report with a very specific path to maximize those scores. That is a lot more useful than a generic “pay down cards” lecture.
If you are buying in Castle Rock or elsewhere in Douglas County, the longer version is the first-time buyer guide.
Book a call if you want to start with a conversation instead of a form. Or apply online — it takes about ten minutes.
Written by Tom Stafford, a mortgage loan originator (NMLS #262409) with Edge Home Finance, LLC. He has lived in and served Douglas County as a mortgage broker since 2010. About Tom
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