Printable checklist
Home Buying Checklist
Everything to line up before you make an offer.
Before you shop
- Pull a free credit report and dispute errors
- Save 3–20% for the down payment
- Save 2–5% of loan value for closing costs
- Get pre-approved by 2–3 lenders within 45 days
- Verify emergency fund is intact after down payment
Making the offer
- Compare APR (not just interest rate) across lenders
- Lock the rate or float with a strategy
- Add appraisal, financing, and inspection contingencies
- Confirm earnest money is in escrow
Before closing
- Order home inspection
- Confirm homeowners insurance binder
- Review the Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure line-by-line
- Do a final walkthrough within 24 hours
Supporting calculators
Real Estate
Home Affordability Calculator
Home price you can afford based on income and DTI.
Finance
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate monthly mortgage payments, interest and amortization.
Real Estate
Closing Costs Calculator
US home purchase closing costs — 2-5% of price.
Real Estate
PMI Calculator
Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance based on LTV.
Real Estate
Earnest Money Deposit Calculator
Recommended EMD amount by market conditions and offer strength.