If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the next year, there are quite a few things you can do to get ready. One key thing that I wish more people knew about it improving their debt-to-income ratio (DTI). A lower DTI not only means that you can borrow more for your home, but it can help you get a lower interest rate.

This might sound complicated, but it’s actually a very simple thing to figure out. It’s just how much debt you owe versus your annual salary. This might feel like something you don’t have a ton of control over, but if you make a plan and give yourself time, you can improve this number!

Real estate is a long game, so take a beat to prepare! The payoff is definitely worth it.