9 Steps to Buying a Home
Minute Read
(Edited by Shauna Scarnato)
You’re thinking about buying a home—congratulations! It’s an exciting milestone, but it can also come with a lot of questions: How much can I afford? Where do I start? What happens next? The good news is you don’t have to figure it out all at once. These nine steps walk you through the homebuying process from start to finish, helping you stay organized, informed and on track every step of the way.
Homebuying Process, Step by Step
1. Determine your budget
What this means: You’re defining a payment you can sustain and the money you need upfront.
What to do:
-
Calculate a comfortable monthly housing payment (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA).
-
List non-housing debts (car loans, credit cards, student loans).
-
Figure out how much cash you’ll need upfront, including your down payment, closing costs, moving expenses and any immediate repairs.
-
Review your credit report now to avoid surprises later. Small improvements—like lowering balances or fixing errors—can help you qualify for better loan options.
Common mistake: Shopping based on the maximum you’re approved for instead of the payment that still lets you save, handle repairs and enjoy your life.
Pro tip: Think about whether or not your payment will still feel comfortable if utilities or insurance cost more than expected.
2. Establish your home needs
What this means: You’re getting clear on your must-haves, nice-to-haves and dealbreakers so you can compare homes quickly and confidently.
What to do:
-
Write down your must-haves (e.g., location radius, number of bedrooms, commute time, parking needs).
-
List your dealbreakers (e.g., busy road, no off-street parking, flood-prone area, steep stairs, major structural concerns).
-
Decide what you’re willing to compromise on (e.g., cosmetic updates, smaller yard, older kitchen, fewer bedrooms).
-
If relocation is on the table, answer these questions before moving to a new area.
Common mistake: Letting your list grow with every showing—so nothing feels like “the one.”
Pro tip: Rank your top three priorities and use them as the tiebreaker when two homes feel similar.
3. Get pre-qualified for a mortgage
What this means: Pre-qualification estimates how much you may be eligible to borrow based on information you provide—helping you shop within a realistic home price range.
What to do:
-
Gather the basics: income details, employment history, monthly debts and an estimate of your available funds for down payment and closing costs.
-
Complete the pre-qualification online or contact our Mortgage Loan Originator team for help.
-
Ask what loan options may fit your situation and what payment range those options typically support.
-
Confirm what documentation you’ll need later for the verification and underwriting process so you can start organizing it now.
Common mistake: House hunting before you know your likely payment figures—then having to reset expectations later.
Pro tip: Ask for a range (not just a maximum) so you can choose a budget that still leaves room for savings and maintenance.
4. Choose a real estate agent
What this means: A knowledgeable agent helps you find the right homes, understand the market, write a strong offer and navigate negotiations with less stress.
What to do:
-
Get referrals from friends and family members who have had positive experiences.
-
Read through reviews online.
-
Interview a few real estate agents to make sure they align with your goals and communication style.
-
Review our tips to help you make the best choice.
Common mistake: Choosing an agent based only on a recommendation without confirming they match your needs and timing.
Pro tip: Ask for a quick walkthrough of their offer process so you know what will happen when you find the right house.
5. Look for homes with your agent
What this means: This is the research and comparison phase—touring homes, tracking what you like and learning how to spot long-term investment in a home.
What to do:
-
Use the same checklist for every home you tour (layout, condition, storage, parking, noise, natural light).
-
Pay attention to big-ticket items (roof, HVAC, windows, foundation, signs of water issues).
-
Ask your real estate agent to help you separate a good buy from a home that may be harder to sell later.
-
Be patient—finding the right home can take a while depending on inventory and your criteria.
Common mistake: Focusing on cosmetic features and overlooking condition, layout limitations or future resale considerations.
Pro tip: After each showing, jot down your top three pros and top three cons, so homes don’t blur together.
6. Submit an offer
What this means: When you find a home you love, this is where things get real. Your agent will help you put together an offer that makes sense for the home, the neighborhood and the current market—then guide you through the back-and-forth with the seller.
What to do:
-
Look at prices of similar homes nearby that sold recently, so you have a realistic comparison of what this home may be worth.
-
Decide what matters most to you besides price—like your closing date, whether the seller helps with costs and what the home will come with (appliances, window treatments, etc.).
-
Include an inspection contingency so you can get the home inspected—and back out or renegotiate if problems are detected.
-
Be ready for negotiation. The seller may counter, and you and your agent can respond on price, repairs or a seller credit (applied at settlement).
Common mistake: Getting locked in on the price and overlooking the terms. The right contingencies and timelines can protect you—and sometimes they’re what helps your offer get accepted.
Pro tip: Before you submit, decide your max price and must-have terms. If negotiations heat up, you’ll be glad you decided while you were thinking clearly.
7. The underwriting process begins
What this means: Once your offer is accepted and all parties sign the agreement of sale, your loan application typically moves into verification and underwriting.
What to do:
-
Submit requested documentation and decisions as soon as possible to help keep the process moving.
-
Keep your finances steady—avoid opening new credit accounts or making large purchases until after closing.
-
Watch for follow-up questions from your lender and respond quickly to prevent delays.
-
Stay in touch with your Mortgage Loan Originator throughout the process.
Common mistake: Delaying document uploads or changing jobs/credit during underwriting, which will slow the approval.
Pro tip: Treat lender requests like a short deadline—quick responses can prevent your closing date from getting pushed out.
8. Proceed to settlement
What this means: As your settlement date gets closer, your lender works through final conditions. Once your loan is approved and all conditions are met, you’ll be ready to close.
What to do:
-
Work with your lender to satisfy any outstanding conditions promptly.
-
Arrange homeowners insurance—this is a common closing requirement.
-
If you’d like help shopping coverage, our insurance team can compare options from more carriers across the state.
-
Review your closing figures when provided so you understand what to bring to settlement.
Common mistake: Waiting until the last minute to secure homeowners insurance or to respond to final condition requests.
Pro tip: Ask what the remaining conditions are and the deadline to avoid delays.
9. Sign the paperwork
What this means: At closing (settlement), you’ll meet at an agreed-upon location to review and sign the final documents that complete the purchase.
Note: Prior to closing, you will receive a final Closing Disclosure which shows all the figures and money changing hands, this will align with what money you may need to bring to closing.
What to do:
-
Confirm the date, time and location. Ask who will be present.
-
Bring required identification and any items requested by your closing agent.
-
Review and sign the paperwork required to complete the purchase at settlement.
-
Ask questions if anything is unclear—this is the best time to confirm final details.
Common mistake: Not reviewing documents or final numbers ahead of time, which can create delays at the table.
Pro tip: After closing, save digital copies of your documents and note your first payment due date.
After You Get the Keys
You did it—you’re a homeowner! Once the keys are in hand, take a breath, then use our New Home Checklist to prioritize the first things to tackle (utilities, safety, updates and moving day details). And if you have questions after closing, our Mortgage team is here to help.
