What to look for when buying a home

Check your credit report

Review all three bureaus for errors. Dispute anything inaccurate.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Know your budget before you start looking. Sellers take pre-approved buyers more seriously.

Calculate your total monthly cost

Mortgage + property tax + insurance + HOA + maintenance. Not just the purchase price.

Save for closing costs

Budget 2-5% of purchase price for closing costs on top of your down payment.

Understand your loan options

Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA. Each has different down payment and eligibility requirements.

Define your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves

Bedrooms, location, yard, garage. Know what you will not compromise on.

Research neighborhoods

Schools, commute times, crime stats, future development plans, flood zones.

Visit homes at different times of day

A quiet street at 10am might be a highway at 5pm. Check noise, traffic, light.

Look beyond cosmetics

Fresh paint and staging hide a lot. Focus on bones: roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical.

Check the lot and exterior

Drainage, grading, retaining walls, trees near foundation, fence condition.

Review the seller's disclosures carefully

Look for past water damage, foundation issues, insurance claims, and unpermitted work.

Get a professional home inspection

Non-negotiable. Attend the inspection and ask questions.

Check for environmental concerns

Radon, lead paint (pre-1978), asbestos, mold, underground storage tanks.

Research the property's history

Previous sale prices, time on market, any liens, easements, or encroachments.

Verify property boundaries and survey

Know exactly what you are buying. Get a current survey if one is not available.

Research comparable sales before offering

Do not rely on list price alone. What have similar homes actually sold for?

Understand contingencies

Inspection, financing, appraisal, sale of current home. Know which ones protect you.

Get title insurance

Protects you from undiscovered liens, claims, and ownership disputes.

Do a final walkthrough

Verify repairs were made, nothing was removed, and the home is in agreed-upon condition.

Review all closing documents carefully

Closing Disclosure, deed, title commitment. Ask questions about anything unclear.