When you’re preparing to buy a home, there’s a lot to do. The checklist
below is a tool to help you concentrate on those items that are most 

important to you as a prospective buyer.  

We will be in touch with you shortly to confirm if there’s any other

information you need. 

Figure out how much you can afford 

How much home you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, 

current monthly expenses, down payment and the current interest 

rates. The calculator links below can help, but it is always best to visit 

a lender to find out for certain. 

How much home can you afford? 
Know your rights 

Make sure you understand your rights.  Not least is the Fair Housing 

Act 
     
Shop for a loan 

Save money by doing your homework. Talk to several lenders, 

compare costs and interest rates, negotiate to get a better deal. 

Getting pre-approved for a loan is a good idea and will make it easier 

when the time comes that you want to make an offer on a home.  

Shop for a home 

Now’s the time to shop for a home.  Make your “wish list” of desired 

home features and then we can sit down to discuss where and how 

you will look.  

Make an offer 

Discuss the process with your real estate agent. If the seller counters 

your offer, you may need to negotiate until you both agree to the 

terms of the sale.  
Get a home inspection 

Make your offer contingent on a home inspection. An inspection will 

tell you about the condition of the home, and can help you avoid 

buying a home that needs major repairs. Make sure you ask the 

following questions from your inspector …  

(a) What does your inspection cover? The inspector should ensure that 

their inspection and inspection report will meet all applicable 

requirements in our state and will comply well-recognized standards of 

practice and code of ethics. You should be able to request and see a 

copy of these items ahead of time and ask any questions you may 

have. If there are any areas you want to make sure are inspected, be 

sure to identify them upfront. 

(b) How long have you been practicing in the home inspection 

profession and how many inspections have you completed? The 

inspector should be able to provide his or her history in the profession 

and perhaps even provide a few names as referrals.  

(c) Are you specifically experienced in residential inspection? Related 

experience in construction or engineering is helpful, but is no 

substitute for training and experience in the unique discipline of home 

inspection. If the inspection is for a commercial property, the same is 

true. 

(d) Do you offer to do repairs or improvements based on the 

inspection? Some inspector associations and state regulations allow 

the inspector to perform repair work on problems uncovered in the 

inspection. Other associations and regulations strictly forbid this as a 

conflict of interest.  

(e) How long will the inspection take? The average on-site inspection 

time for a single inspector is two to three hours for a typical single- 

family house; anything significantly less may not be enough time to 

perform a thorough inspection. Additional inspectors may be brought 

in for very large properties and buildings.  

(f) How much will it cost? Costs vary dramatically, depending on the 

area, size and age of the house, scope of inspection and other factors. 

A typical range might be $300-$500, but consider the value of the 

home inspection in terms of the investment being made.  

(g) What type of inspection report do you provide and how long will it 

take to receive the report? Ask to see samples and determine whether 

or not you can understand the inspector's reporting style and if the 

time parameters fulfill your needs. Most inspectors provide their full 

report within 24 hours of the inspection.  

(h) Will I be able to attend the inspection? This is a valuable 

educational opportunity, and an inspector's refusal to allow this should 

raise a red flag. Never pass up this opportunity to see your prospective 

home through the eyes of an expert.  

(i) Do you maintain membership in a professional home inspector 

association? There are many state and national associations for home 

inspectors. Request to see their membership ID. 

(j) Do you participate in continuing education programs to keep your 

expertise up to date? One can never know it all, and the inspector's 

commitment to continuing education is a good measure of his or her 

professionalism and service to the consumer. This is especially 

important in cases where the home is much older or includes unique 

elements requiring additional or updated training. 

Shop for homeowners insurance 

All lenders will require that you have homeowners insurance. Shopping 

around in advance of your purchase will ensure you get the best rate. 

Sign papers 

You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read 

everything before you sign!