Buying a home can be a timely process, so it’s important to hit the ground running. These tips are sure to keep you on track throughout the months leading up to the big purchase.

To prep:

Utilize an agent

Make use of the professionals involved with buying a home, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Going at it alone can result in more harm than good, and nothing is worse than dragging out an already time-consuming process.

Get your financials in check

Whether this means checking your credit score, talking with a financial advisor, looking at your monthly expenditures, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, or most likely, all of the above, getting your financials in order is a necessary step in the home-buying process.

Look at neighborhoods

Do you want to live in an urban setting or are the suburbs more your speed? How relevant is a good school district to your family? These questions are vital to ask when looking at what neighborhoods best match your lifestyle.

To buy:

Hunting for a home

Open houses can be a fun part of the home-buying process. Be confident in knowing what you want in a home, and keep in constant contact with the professionals during this step to make your decisions easier.

Making an offer

Once you find the house of your dreams, putting an offer in is the natural next step. The process of making an offer will often include deciding on an offer, which entails looking at the comps in the general vicinity. Part of making an offer is also negotiating with the seller, which a professional will help you with as well.

Signing the agreement

Once the seller accepts your offer, the next step is signing the purchase agreement. This is where financials, home inspections, and other necessary contingencies will be discussed, but a professional will be there to guide you through every step of the closing process.

From searching to closing, buying a home is one of the most exciting times of your life. Stay on top of the little things with this timeline!