Key takeaways There are many important steps to buying a house, including setting a budget, saving for a down payment and shopping around for a mortgage. Affordability is crucial: The 28/36 rule can help you stay on budget by making sure your housing costs don’t exceed 28% of your income. Your loan officer or real estate agent can guide you through the process of applying for a mortgage, getting an appraisal and underwriting the loan. Home prices and mortgage rates both remain high in 2026, though some areas have seen prices decline and buyers gain more leverage. Whatever the state of the housing market in your area, buying a home can be a complicated process with plenty of ins and outs. Before you start your search, here’s what to know about buying a house in 2026 — one step at a time. Buying a house: A step-by-step guide 1. Determine why you want to buy Purchasing a home is a major decision.…