Your home-buying roadmap - start to keys

Your Path to a New Home

Buying a home is a handful of clear steps, not a mystery. Here is the whole path, start to finish - so you always know what comes next, what to have ready, and what it typically costs along the way.

Steps8discovery to keys

Docs to gather4categories, see below

Already own?3doors before you buy

Typical timeline6-8weeks, discovery to keys

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Typical timeline Discovery to keys, at a glance

Wk 0Discovery

Wk 0-1Pre-approval

Wk 1-3Shop & tour

Wk 3-4Offer

Wk 4-5Under contract

Wk 5-6Underwriting

Wk 6-7Clear to close

Wk 6-8Keys!

Discovery

You

Your goals, timeline, and a comfortable budget. No pressure, no obligation.

Pre-approval

Lender

We verify income, assets, and credit and hand you a pre-approval letter - so you shop with confidence and make strong offers.

Shop & tour

Agent

Your Realtor lines up homes that fit; tour, compare, and find the one.

Make an offer

Agent

Write a competitive offer and negotiate price and terms. Seller credits toward closing costs can often be negotiated here.

Under contract

Lender

Inspection and appraisal, lock your rate, and finalize the loan.

Underwriting

Lender

The lender's final file review. Answer any conditions quickly - this keeps closing on time.

Clear to close

Title

Final closing disclosure, final walk-through, and a plain-English review of your numbers.

Keys!

Title

Sign, fund, record - the home is yours. We review your equity and rate together every year.

Costs at a glance What buyers typically budget for

Earnest money

1-3% of price

Home inspection

$300-$600

Appraisal

$500-$700

Closing costs

2-5% of loan

Ranges are typical and vary by location, lender, and transaction - not a quote for your loan.

Mistakes to avoid Three ways buyers slow themselves down

✗New credit before closing. A car, furniture, or new credit card can change your approval - hold off until after you close.

✗Skipping the inspection. Waiving it to win a bidding war can trade a small fee now for a big repair bill later.

✗Shopping for a lender last. A pre-approval in hand - not after you find the house - is what makes your offer competitive.

Get ready What to have handy

Photo ID for each buyer
Income docs - recent pay stubs (or returns if self-employed)
Asset statements - about two months of bank/investment
Credit - a soft pull to start (no score impact); a hard pull only at full application

Missing something? Start anyway - we fill gaps as we go.

Already own? Three doors before you buy

Sell & buy - roll the proceeds into your next home
Keep & rent - hold it and let a tenant build your equity
Tap equity - a line of credit through a partner, without touching your current mortgage

Ask for the free Sell-vs-Keep-and-Rent side-by-side.

See your own numbers - free

Scan the code or reach out. We build your personalized picture: what you can comfortably afford, your estimated monthly payment, and typical closing costs - no obligation.

{{compliance.pendingLabel}} Equal Housing Opportunity. {{lo.company}}, NMLS #{{lo.nmls}} (Company NMLS #{{compliance.companyNmls}}). This is not a commitment to lend; all loans are subject to underwriting approval and terms may change without notice. Any figures shown - including timeline and cost ranges - are for illustration only and are not an offer, quote, or guarantee. Property details are from the listing, provided for information only - not an offer, appraisal, or valuation; verify current price and availability with your agent. Home equity lines of credit referenced are offered by a third-party partner, not {{lo.company}}; no rates or terms are quoted, and you may choose any lender. This co-marketed material is shared by each party at its fair-market-value cost consistent with RESPA Section 8; no party pays for referrals and none are required.