It will help your home search immensely. Check out neighborhoods. Check out the proximity to work, schools, places of worship, and other services you may require - dance lessons for the kids, a gym, etc. Check your credit rating, especially if you will be applying for a mortgage. Straighten out any errors that could hold up loan approval and postpone large purchases or long vacations that could be an added expense.
Lenders like to see low debt and cash reserves in the bank.
You can order your own credit report, which most credit card companies offer you to view for free a couple of times a year. Take them up on it. Be an informed buyer and check with your real estate agent about each of the potential neighborhoods that may be of interest to you. All of these items are very important. Many properties have inspections right up front.