About this template
Buying your first home involves dozens of decisions, deadlines and documents — and it’s easy to miss a step when everything moves quickly. This checklist breaks the process into six manageable stages so you always know what comes next.
Each stage includes checkboxes, timeline reminders, space for notes and optional questions to ask your lender, agent, inspector or attorney. Fill-in tables help you compare loan offers, weigh needs against wants and keep tour notes. Rules and timelines vary by location, so use it alongside qualified local professionals.
Who it's for
- First-time homebuyers
- Renters planning to buy in the next year or two
- Anyone who wants an organized homebuying plan
What's included
- Stage 1 — financial preparation: budget, emergency fund, credit, down payment, closing costs and DTI
- Stage 2 — financing and preapproval, with a three-lender comparison table
- Stage 3 — home search: needs vs. wants, neighborhood research and tour notes
- Stage 4 — making an offer: price, contingencies, earnest money, disclosures and timeline
- Stage 5 — inspection, appraisal and closing, including closing-disclosure and wire-fraud checks
- Stage 6 — after moving in: maintenance schedule, document storage and warranty records
How to use it
- 1
Start with the timeline at a glance, then work through the stages in order.
- 2
Replace the highlighted fill-ins with your own numbers and delete what doesn’t apply.
- 3
Tick off items as you go — click the boxes in Word or print the PDF.
- 4
Bring the “questions to ask” lists to meetings with your lender, agent and inspector.
- 5
Keep the completed checklist with your closing documents.
