when should i start 'actively looking'

currently i keep checking realestate listings, to see prices, houses sizes and location...
i graduate in May, so FH and i would like to close between Late may and October....


how early should i start looking with a realtor, actually seeing the house and bidding?

typical time frame between contract signing and closing is 2 months. so if you want to close in may, i recommend you to have found something by the LATEST in March.

Finding something can take a long time - we started looking in October 2002 and found what we wanted and signed a contract on April 1st. Not everyone takes a long time but it depends what's out there and what your price range is.

Also, I said 'typical before' - we signed contract 4/1 and didnt close until 8/18, 4.5 months later because sellers home that they were building was not approved for a CO

lots of factors involved - i say start actively looking now! who knows, the house of your dreams may be for sale and the owners may not want to close until later which would be good for you

all i know is this - lots of homes for sale are because people are having a new one built - waiting on the town to approve COs take such a loooooooong time

FI and I just started actively looking by going to open houses on our own. We are probably going to contact a realtor in teh next few weeks.
But just so you know on the flip side of what everyone has said....we thought it would take us forever to find something, (we dont want to close until april or may) but first house, we fell in love with and now we are going back and forth trying to decide if we should make an offer or wait, and if we want to take on a mortgage 4 months earlier than originally anticipated.

I say start seriously looking when you are ready to make an offer. If you are not ready to make an offer just casually look because its hard if you do find the house and arent ready to actually buy it!
Just my current experience!!!
Good Luck...
By the way, where are you looking?

becareful because i sell houses and my first deal was supposed to be 3 months longs and it turned into 7 1/2 months