 | Familiarize yourself with the mortgage process. Have mortgage questions? Need a few mortgage tips? See the sections devoted to those subjects. |
| Begin the application process by getting pre qualified and pre approved from a Mortgage Lender. Do this first. Your Agent will need your mortgage qualification, and it will significantly strengthen your offer when you find a home. |
| Get your financial picture in focus as soon as possible. Since it is an important component, be aware of your credit situation. You can get a free copy of your credit report or, see the credit center for additional resources for getting your credit report. |
| The best time to work on your budget is before you move. |
| Wondering about how much time is needed to buy a home? See the sample home buying timeline. |
| Determine your housing needs and wants to determine what types of houses you should be considering. |
| Familiarize yourself with the various types of housing available: Single family, townhouse, and condo. |
| Still have a question about a Real Estate term or its definition? See our Real Estate Glossary. A question on a mortgage term? See the Mortgage Glossary. |
| Familiarize yourself with how to set a value on a house. This can save you a great deal of time and helps to avoid disappointment. |
| When you find an acceptable house, write an offer. Familiarize yourself with how offers become contracts. |
| If you haven't already done so, apply for a mortgage loan. |
| Learn about home warranties and what they cover. |
| Compare and secure homeowners insurance. Since homeowners insurance is a long term expense, getting the best deal here brings savings that continue. |
| Make moving plans. If you plan to use a moving company, make comparisons and reserve time now. |
| Secure final loan approval and commitment from the lending institution. If you have done your "up-front" work, this should be one of your easiest steps. |
| Do a final walk through of the house. |
| Final closing and settlement. |
