First-Time Homebuyer Checklist
A 32-step checklist covering pre-approval, offer, inspection, appraisal, and closing — printable PDF included.
Table of contents
Before you shop
Pull your credit reports. Pay down revolving balances. Save your down payment, closing costs (2–5%), and a moving/reserve buffer. Get pre-approved with two lenders to compare rates and lender fees.
Under contract
Hire an independent inspector. Order the appraisal. Lock your rate. Buy homeowners insurance and a home warranty. Do a final walk-through 24 hours before closing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does closing take?
Typically 30–45 days from accepted offer. Cash offers can close in as little as 10.
Bottom line
Understanding first-time homebuyer checklist is one of the highest-leverage things you can do for your financial future. Bookmark this guide, share it with a friend, and use the calculators linked below to run the math on your own numbers. Money decisions are rarely urgent, but they compound — so a good decision today easily becomes an outsized win a decade from now.
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Reader comments (3)
This finally cleared up something my previous advisor kept hand-waving. Bookmarking.
Would love a follow-up piece on how this changes for self-employed households.
Really appreciate that you cited primary sources — most sites don’t.