What is mortgage readiness and how do I know if I'm prepared to buy?

Mortgage readiness is about more than getting approved – it's having the stable income, healthy credit, manageable debt, and cash reserves to own a home comfortably. Lenders look at your credit score, your debt-to-income ratio (ideally keeping total monthly debt under roughly 36–43% of gross income), your down payment, and consistent employment. But true readiness also means a full emergency fund that survives the closing, money set aside for maintenance, and a payment that leaves room for the rest of your life. Buying at the edge of approval is a recipe for stress when taxes rise or a repair hits. Before house hunting, check where you stand across these factors at wealthserene.com/assessments/mortgage-readiness, then close any gaps so ownership strengthens your finances rather than straining them.