First Home Buying Questions

[Bryce Liggins]

Hello BiggerPockets- 

My fiancé  and I are looking to buy our first home together within the next 8 months. We are in a very affordable month-to-month apparent right now. We are very much in the early stages of research, identifying how our wish lists align, location, etc... We still haven't decided if want to buy and rehab or buy already rehabbed. The goal is to live in our first home for 3-5 years, ride the increase in home values in Philadelphia, and then move to the suburbs.

 My coworker notified me yesterday that his neighbor would be listing soon (they are aiming for September 15), and if I was interested in moving a bit quicker, he would make some introductions for me before they list. The location is in a highly ideal location in terms of a rapidly growing neighborhood in Philadelphia. However, I feel that that since we have not been pre approved for a loan, we have not started looking at open houses and we have not hired an agent, September 15th is way to quick of a rush for us to get our ducks in a row. 

With that said, I have two questions:

1) Is September 15th, too much of a rush to get the process moving? My hopes would be if we can both proceed without an agent, we can cut additional costs out of the equation. 

2) If we decided to proceed, what is the next order of operations? Get pre approved? View the Home? Interview contractors to acquire bids? Use bids to put together offers? 

As a side note, I'm somewhat familiar with the industry based on my profession. I work in marketing with a private money lender who focuses on lending for rehab projects. That business will be able to guide some of the financial information, and will also be able to supply me with an abundance of referrals for contractors, electricians, etc.

Current finances:

110k income between my fiancé and I. We have 30k to put towards our upcoming purchase. We're targeting a budget under 325k and looking to put less than 5% down. My coworker believes the house will be listed between 215-235k.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks