Home Buying Checklist

6–12 Months Out

Get your credit, savings, and budget in shape before you talk to anyone.

• Pull your free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any errors
• Check your credit score — 740+ gets the best mortgage rates; below 670 costs you meaningfully more
• Pay down credit card balances to below 30% of limits (below 10% is even better for your score)
• Stop opening new credit cards or financing purchases — new accounts ding your score for months
• Calculate your target price range: total monthly housing cost (payment, taxes, insurance) under ~28% of gross income
• Set a down payment savings goal — 20% avoids PMI, but 3–5% programs exist; know your number
• Open a dedicated high-yield savings account for the down payment and automate monthly transfers
• Budget for closing costs too — typically 2–5% of the purchase price on top of the down payment
• Build (or preserve) a separate emergency fund — don't drain it to zero for the house

3–6 Months Out

Line up financing and your team.

• Gather documents: 2 years of tax returns and W-2s, 2 months of pay stubs and bank statements
• Get pre-approved (not just pre-qualified) with at least 3 lenders within a 14–45 day window — the inquiries count as one
• Compare Loan Estimates line by line: rate, points, origination fees, and lender credits
• Interview 2–3 buyer's agents and ask how their commission works and what neighborhoods they know
• Write a must-haves vs. nice-to-haves list and agree on it with anyone buying with you
• Research neighborhoods: commute times, school ratings, property tax rates, and flood zones
• Avoid job changes, large unexplained deposits, or big purchases until after closing

House Hunting

Stay disciplined once the tours start.

• Set a hard maximum price and tell your agent — not just the pre-approval amount, which is often more than you should spend
• Tour at least 5–8 homes before making any offer so you know the local market
• At each showing, check the big-ticket items: roof age, HVAC age, water heater, windows, and signs of water damage
• Look up each home's sale history and days on market before offering
• Estimate real monthly cost per house: payment + property taxes + insurance + HOA + utilities
• Drive by your top choices at night and on a weekend to check noise, traffic, and parking

Under Contract

Roughly 30–45 days of deadlines. Miss one and you can lose your deposit.

• Send your earnest money deposit (typically 1–3% of price) by the contract deadline — wire only after phone-verifying instructions to avoid wire fraud
• Schedule a home inspection within the inspection window (usually 7–10 days) — expect $300–$600
• Attend the inspection in person and get repair quotes for anything major before negotiating
• Negotiate repairs, a price reduction, or seller credits based on inspection findings
• Order any specialty inspections the house needs: radon, sewer scope, pest, or chimney ($100–$400 each)
• Lock your mortgage rate and get the lock agreement in writing
• Shop at least 3 homeowners insurance quotes — your lender requires proof of coverage before closing
• Review the appraisal; if it comes in low, negotiate the price down or be ready to cover the gap in cash
• Respond to every lender document request within 24 hours to keep underwriting on schedule

Closing Week

• Review your Closing Disclosure the moment it arrives (you get it at least 3 business days before closing) and compare it to your Loan Estimate
• Question any fee that grew by more than 10% from the estimate
• Do the final walkthrough 24 hours before closing — confirm repairs were made and the house is in the agreed condition
• Arrange your cash to close via wire or cashier's check — verify wiring instructions by phone with the title company
• Bring government-issued photo ID to closing (both buyers if applicable)
• Get copies of every signed document and confirm when and where your first mortgage payment is due

Move-In

• Change all exterior locks and garage codes on day one ($100–$300, or DIY)
• Set up utilities in your name: electric, gas, water, trash, and internet
• File your homestead exemption with the county if your state offers one — it lowers property taxes
• Save all closing documents permanently — you'll need them at tax time and when you sell
• Start a home maintenance fund: 1–2% of the home's value per year is the standard rule
• Locate your main water shutoff, breaker panel, and HVAC filter — and put filter changes on a recurring reminder