Now you get a pre-approval letter from a bank or mortgage broker. It’s like a permission slip that says, “Yes, you can spend up to this much money, but please don’t spend it all on avocado toast.” This step takes about one to two weeks, especially if your taxes are neat and your W-2s don’t look like a crime scene.
Then comes the hunt. It’s a bit like Goldilocks, but with more paperwork. You’ll tour houses that are too small, too weird, or too expensive. On average, serious buyers look at about ten properties before they find “the one.” That hunting period usually takes two to four weeks, give or take a bidding war or two.
The Best Time To Buy a Home - Realtor.com
