 Now, if your credit is bad, Credit.com has plenty of information on how to fix it. Now, it takes time, so don't wait till the last minute. Okay, so about six months before you plan on buying a place, find your Realtor. The best way to do that is to ask family, friends, and coworkers who they worked with in the past. Chances are someone you know bought a house recently, and that personal referral is a great place to start.