A Practical First-Time Buyer Checklist, In Order

Check your credit report first, before anything else — errors are more common than people expect, and fixing them takes time you don't want to lose once you're actively house-hunting.

Figure out your down payment sources and confirm they're compliant — gifted funds from immediate family are generally fine with a signed gift letter; borrowed down payments (outside specific programs) usually aren't accepted.

Get a real pre-approval from a lender or broker, not just an online rate quote — a genuine pre-approval reviews your actual income, debt, and credit, and typically holds a rate for 90-120 days while you shop.

Only then start touring homes seriously, ideally with a realistic price range already set by your affordability numbers rather than what a listing search 'suggests' you can afford.

Once you have an accepted offer: arrange a home inspection, finalize financing with your lender, and get a real estate lawyer or notary lined up for closing — these can run in parallel, but all need to be moving before your closing date arrives.

Budget separately for closing costs (typically 1.5%-4% of purchase price) on top of your down payment — this is the step most commonly underestimated by first-time buyers.