What you need to know about buying a house in 2025

Some good news for you this morning. If you're in the market to buy a home, supply is up slightly as we enter a new year. Active listings in November were up 12% compared to a year earlier, but there are some things to keep in mind if you're planning on making a purchase this year. So experts suggest make sure your credit is in good standing. They also say it's best to figure out how much you can afford before you even start shopping for a home. Third, find a mortgage lender. And the reason for these tips is that while there is more supply, there is still a lot of demand for housing, so it's likely you will be competing with more buyers than you might expect.