Buying your first home is exciting and noisy. Use this simple roadmap to move from browsing to keys in hand without overwhelm.

Budget like a pro

• All-in number: Purchase price, taxes, legal, inspection, appraisal, moving, initial repairs.

• Monthly comfort: Principal/interest, taxes, insurance, HOA/condo fees, utilities.

• Emergency buffer: 3–6 months of expenses post-closing.

Get pre approved early

A written pre-approval clarifies your ceiling and makes offers stronger. Compare at least 3 lenders on rate, points, and closing costs. Ask about rate-lock and portable options.

Define your non-negotiables

Location, commute, school needs, number of bedrooms, parking, pet rules, outdoor space. Keep a “must/like/nope” list to stay objective during viewings.

Viewing checklist

• Natural light & orientation, noise levels, storage.

• Big-ticket items: roof/structure, windows, plumbing, electrical, HVAC.

• Water pressure, signs of damp, basement/attic condition.

• Condo/HOA health: reserves, upcoming assessments, rules.

Offer strategy

Lean on fresh comps and days on market. Add contingencies (financing, inspection, appraisal) strategically; in competitive cases, use flexible closing dates or earnest money to stand out.

Due diligence

Hire a licensed inspector; review disclosures, title, HOA minutes, and insurance quotes. Re-run numbers after the inspection to account for repairs.

Closing day

Final walk-through, sign documents, transfer utilities, collect keys. Celebrate—and set reminders for maintenance like filter changes and gutter cleaning.