The Home Buyer Checklist

Name this checklist

Choose buyer type

Choose target timeline

Add target location or market

Add target budget range

Add must-haves

Add nice-to-haves

Add dealbreakers

Add household decision-makers

Decide who can view or edit the checklist

Estimate how much home you can afford

monthly payment comfort zone Sub-item

down payment target Sub-item

closing cost estimate Sub-item

emergency reserve after closing Sub-item

moving cost estimate Sub-item

repair/furniture/setup budget Sub-item

Review income stability

Review credit

Avoid opening new credit before applying

Avoid large unexplained deposits before mortgage approval

Estimate monthly ownership costs

principal and interest Sub-item

property tax Sub-item

homeowners insurance Sub-item

mortgage insurance Sub-item

HOA Sub-item

utilities Sub-item

maintenance Sub-item

Decide maximum comfortable monthly payment

Decide maximum cash-to-close

Decide how much cash should remain after closing

First-time buyer: check whether homebuyer education is required or helpful

Gather mortgage documents

photo ID Sub-item

recent pay stubs Sub-item

W-2s Sub-item

tax returns if applicable Sub-item

bank statements Sub-item

investment statements Sub-item

debt statements Sub-item

rental history if requested Sub-item

gift letter if applicable Sub-item

Get pre-qualified or pre-approved

Ask lender what loan types you may qualify for

Ask about first-time buyer/state/local/grant/down payment assistance

Ask whether homebuyer education is required

Compare at least two or three lenders

Compare Loan Estimates side by side

loan amount Sub-item

interest rate Sub-item

APR Sub-item

monthly P&I Sub-item

taxes/insurance Sub-item

mortgage insurance Sub-item

closing costs Sub-item

cash to close Sub-item

rate lock Sub-item

Choose lender

Decide when to lock rate

Save lender contact

Choose buyers agent

Choose lender

Choose attorney if needed

Identify home inspector options

Identify insurance agent options

Identify title/escrow contact

Identify moving company or moving plan

Save contact info

Add notes about responsibilities

Add key dates and deadlines

Define location preferences

Define commute requirements

Define home type

Define minimum bedrooms

Define minimum bathrooms

Define minimum square footage

Define lot/yard needs

Define parking/garage needs

Define HOA tolerance

Define renovation tolerance

Define maintenance tolerance

Define school/childcare/commute/lifestyle notes if relevant

Define resale considerations

Create a scoring rubric

Add first property

Add listing URL

Add asking price

Add estimated taxes

Add estimated insurance

Add HOA fee

Add beds/baths/square footage

Set property status

Add property notes

Link a Home Analysis Report when available

Schedule tour

Bring checklist

Take notes immediately after tour

Score property against must-haves

Score property against dealbreakers

Estimate likely monthly payment

Estimate repair needs

Check visible signs of deferred maintenance

Ask about roof/HVAC/water heater/appliances

Ask about HOA/restrictions/special assessments

Ask about utilities

Ask about flood zone or insurance concerns

Ask about seller disclosures

Add photos or notes

Mark whether this property needs Home Analysis Report

Create or link Home Analysis Report

Confirm address matches saved property

Confirm purchase price

Confirm down payment

Confirm loan assumptions

Confirm taxes/insurance/HOA/maintenance assumptions

Review affordability result

Review monthly payment estimate

Review total cost estimate

Review cash-to-close estimate

Review risk flags

Review resale/holding-period concerns

Compare report to comfort-zone budget

Add Go/Maybe/No property decision

Add notes on safety/risk/missing info

Compare top properties side by side

Do not submit offer until report is reviewed or intentionally skipped

Review comparable sales with agent

Decide offer price

Decide earnest money deposit

Decide down payment

Decide closing date

Decide contingencies

Decide seller credits

Decide appraisal gap position

Confirm included appliances/fixtures

Confirm excluded items

Review offer documents

Submit offer

Track offer response

Record rejected offer reason if applicable

If accepted, move checklist to under contract

Save accepted contract

Add contract deadlines

Send contract to lender

Pay earnest money deposit

Schedule inspection

Confirm inspection contingency deadline

Start full mortgage application

Ask lender for updated document list

Confirm rate lock decision

Ask lender about appraisal timing

Select title/escrow/attorney contact

Start homeowners insurance quotes

Add closing date

Add final walk-through date

Update target due dates automatically

Attend inspection if possible

Read full inspection report

Mark major issues

Mark safety issues

Mark expensive system follow-ups

roof Sub-item

foundation Sub-item

electrical Sub-item

plumbing Sub-item

HVAC Sub-item

sewer/septic Sub-item

well Sub-item

pests Sub-item

mold/water intrusion Sub-item

Decide whether specialist inspections are needed

Estimate repair costs

Decide repair request strategy

seller repair Sub-item

seller credit Sub-item

price reduction Sub-item

accept as-is Sub-item

cancel contract Sub-item

Send repair request before deadline

Save repair agreement

Add agreed repairs to final walk-through checklist