Making the decision to invest in a home can be both exciting and a little intimidating. Since most consumers don't have the financial resources required to pay for a home purchase outright, you will likely find yourself needing a home loan in order to purchase the property of your dreams.

Qualifying for a home loan can seem daunting, but here are three simple things you can do to get ready for the mortgage process as you look for a home in the future.

1. Become familiar with your credit.

Before you visit with a lender in an attempt to get a home loan, it can be helpful to become familiar with your current credit standing. Your credit will play a determining role when it comes to the issuance of a home loan on your behalf, so it's essential that your credit score is as high as possible at the time you apply for your loan.

Requesting a copy of your credit reports will help you identify any reporting errors that need to be corrected or accounts that need to be repaid in order to improve your credit so that you will easily qualify for a mortgage in the future.

2. Be prepared to verify your financial history.

Since home loans are often for large amounts, a lender wants to be sure that you will be able to repay the loan according to the terms set forth by the lender. This often means that the lender wants to verify your financial history to see what your repayment capabilities are.

Ideally, you should be able to show that you have a reliable job that provides steady income and prove that you have been putting money into your savings account each month in order to build your financial assets. Gathering documentation that verifies your financial history before applying for a home loan can help reduce the amount of time required to process your loan request.

3. Do not make any large purchases.

As you prepare to apply for a home loan, it's important that you avoid any significant changes in your financial standing. This means that you shouldn't make any large purchases until your home loan is finalized and you should avoid changing your debt-to-income ratio by opening a new account or credit card before your home loan is processed.

Maintaining a stable financial state will make it easier for a lender to process your loan request as you look to buy your first home.

Being prepared for the home loan process can seem challenging, but taking the time to check your credit reports, document your financial history, and avoid large purchases can help you streamline the home loans application process in the future.