Buyer’s Checklist:

You have been thinking about buying a house and are ready to take the first steps. Where do you begin? While you might think you’re ready to jump on Zillow and tour as many houses as possible, there are a few important steps to take first.

1. Figure out how much you can afford: Calculate your monthly income and debt and check your credit report. Understand how much money you generate and spend monthly that can be put towards a mortgage. Speak with a mortgage professional to help you walk through this process and begin to discuss mortgage options.

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Ask friends, colleagues, the internet, etc. about local mortgage lenders. Find one that you like and that is best for your situation. Some banks require high down payments and some lenders are only available to restricted groups. Gather and submit your information to your lender to get pre-approved.

3. Determine needs + wants: Break things down into a ‘needs and want list’ to help you understand if a home could work for you. This might include location, size, style, and amenities. Your time frame is also an important factor to determine when to start seriously looking. Separate your must-haves and your ‘can live withouts’.

4. Choose an Agent: Find someone to be your advocate and guide you through the home buying process. Ask them about current market conditions, neighborhoods, and active listings. Learn about the next steps and what happens when you are ready to make an offer.

5. Tour Homes: Work with your agent to make a list of homes you want to tour. Attend public open houses and private showings. Continue browsing and being in touch with your agent until you find the right homes. As you start touring homes, keep a dedicated list of pros and cons and things you see that you like. This will help you further refine your needs and determine what you want.

6. Make an offer: Work with your agent to craft your best offer. Check out the article on offers here.