You can't just plunk down your credit card to buy a house. Here's how to prepare for the purchase.

If you're thinking about buying a home in 2017, October to December is the perfect time to "warm up" for the house hunt so you can hit the ground running in the New Year. We've asked real estate and mortgage professionals to chime in about what prospective home buyers should do to ready themselves for buying a home. From organizing your finances to save money to finding a real estate agent and mortgage lender, there is plenty to keep you busy!

1. Check your credit score

A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit report. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher your score, the better.

2. Don't open new credit cards

Tempting as saving at checkout can be, opening new credit may hurt your chances of getting a mortgage What could save you a few dollars now could cost you far more in the long run if your mortgage payments will be higher.

3. Suggest financial gifts for the holidays

Besides the mortgage loan, you'll need a sizable amount of cash to buy a house. There's the down payment to consider, closing costs, and moving costs. You should also set aside money for unexpected repairs and costs. Instead of getting gifts for the holidays, [prospective home buyers] can suggest cash instead that will be put toward their home. And remember, you might be getting some money back after you file your tax return. Don't blow it on vacation.

4. Interview potential real estate agents

Look for [an agent] that is knowledgeable, good, integral, and can assist you in reaching the goal of home ownership. The end of the year is usually a slow time for agents, so chances are, they'll be more accommodating to making an appointment on your schedule.

5. Keep tabs on interest rates

Not everyone gets the same interest rate on a mortgage loan. It depends on your financial picture and on the lender you choose. Home buyers shop around for the lowest interest rates.

6. Find a mortgage lender

Before you even start looking for a home look for a mortgage lender to find out if you can afford to buy a home. If you can't right now, there's no use torturing yourself by finding your dream home that's just out of reach. Once you know how much home you can afford, perform your home search based on your preapproval amount or less.

7. Get preapproved

When a lender gives your financials the once-over you'll be able to show sellers that you really can buy their house. But how do you get preapproved? By preparing a few documents, which you can do several months in advance of the actual purchase. Here's what you need to buy a house.

• Tax returns for the past two years

• W-2 forms for the past two years

• Paycheck stubs from the past few months

• Proof of mortgage or rent payments for the past year

• A list of all your debts, including credit cards, student loans, auto loans, and alimony

• A list of all your assets, including bank statements, auto titles, real estate, and any investment accounts.

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Information obtained from Trulia