Buying your first home doesn't have to feel overwhelming. The difference between buyers who stress through the process and those who navigate it confidently? Having the right information at the right time.
This is your complete resource hub. Downloadable checklists. Clear timelines. Plain-English definitions. The exact questions to ask before choosing an agent. Everything organized, simplified, and ready when you need it.
Your Complete Action Plan
Stop wondering what comes next. Follow this proven path from dreaming to closing. This isn't just a list. This is the exact sequence thousands of successful first-time buyers followed to get their keys.
Print it. Check boxes. Make progress.
Complete Home Buying Timeline
From Application to Keys — Know exactly where you are and what comes next
1 Financial Prep (3-6 Months)
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Step 1
Credit score review and improvement
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Step 2
Debt reduction and savings accumulation
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Step 3
Budget calculation and affordability assessment
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Step 4
Down payment fund building
Average Duration: 3-6 months.
What's Happening: Building the financial foundation that makes everything else possible.
What to Expect: This phase determines buying power. Rushing through it creates problems later. Taking time here makes everything downstream easier.
Red Flags
- Credit score "poor or bad"
- Debt-to-income ratio above 43%
- Less than $1,000 in emergency savings
- No documentation of income
Green Lights
- Credit score "Excellent or Good"
- Debt-to-income ratio below 36%
- 3-6 months expenses saved beyond down payment
- All financial documents organized
2 Team Building & Pre-Approval (4-6 Weeks)
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Step 1
Agent selection and buyer consultation
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Step 2
Lender comparison and selection
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Step 3
Pre-approval application and documentation
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Step 4
Pre-approval letter received
Average Duration: 4-6 weeks
What's Happening: Assembling the professional team and getting mortgage pre-approval.
What to Expect: Pre-approval takes 3-10 days once documents are submitted. Agent interviews take one to two weeks if done thoroughly. This stage sets up success for the entire journey.
Documents Needed:
Last 2 years W-2s and tax returns
60 days of pay stubs
2-3 months bank statements
Photo ID and Social Security card
Employment verification
Red Flags
- Lender won't provide written pre-approval
- Agent has no first-time buyer experience
- Pre-approval amount higher than comfortable budget
- Lender pressuring quick decisions
Green Lights
- Strong pre-approval letter in hand
- Agent who explains process clearly
- Comfortable monthly payment projection
- Responsive, communicative lender
3 House Hunting (2-8 Weeks)
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Step 1
Listing alerts set up
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Step 2
Property tours scheduled and completed
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Step 3
Offer strategy developed
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Step 4
The right property identified
Average Duration: 2-8 weeks (highly market-dependent)
What's Happening: Active property search and evaluation.
What to Expect: In competitive markets, buyers tour 5-10 properties before finding the right fit. In slower markets, inventory takes longer to turn over. Patience here prevents buyer's remorse later.
Smart Touring Strategy:
Tour neighborhoods at different times (morning, evening, weekend)
Bring checklist and take photos
Ask neighbors questions
Research recent sales in area
Don't fall in love until inspection clears
Red Flags
- Feeling rushed or pressured
- Skipping properties that meet criteria
- Emotional decisions without analysis
- Ignoring deal-breakers on wish list
Green Lights
- Property checks all must-haves
- Price aligns with comparable sales
- Neighborhood fits lifestyle
- Room for negotiation exists
4 Offer & Negotiation (1-3 Days)
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Step 1
Offer submitted with pre-approval letter
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Step 2
Seller responds (accept, reject, or counter)
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Step 3
Negotiation rounds completed
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Step 4
Contract signed by both parties
Average Duration: 1-3 days
What's Happening: Submitting offer, negotiating terms, and reaching agreement.
What to Expect: In hot markets, decisions happen in hours. In balanced markets, expect 24-48 hours for responses. Multiple rounds of negotiation are normal. Everything is negotiable until signed.
Standard Offer Components:
Purchase price
Earnest money deposit (typically 1-3%)
Contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing)
Requested repairs or credits
Closing timeline
Included appliances and fixtures
Red Flags
- Seller demands waiving all contingencies
- Pressure to offer above comfortable budget
- Unclear terms or verbal agreements
- Missing deadlines in contract
Green Lights
- Fair price based on comps
- Reasonable contingency periods
- Clear contract terms
- Responsive seller/agent
5 Under Contract - Inspection (7-10 Days)
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Step 1
Home inspection scheduled and completed
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Step 2
Inspection report received and reviewed
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Step 3
Repair requests submitted to seller
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Step 4
Repair negotiation resolved or contract terminated
Average Duration: 7-10 days
What's Happening: Professional home inspection and potential repair negotiations.
What to Expect: Every house has issues. Major structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC problems are negotiable. Cosmetic items typically aren't. Attend the inspection to understand findings firsthand.
Common Inspection Findings:
Minor: Worn caulking, loose doorknobs, missing outlet covers
Moderate: Old HVAC system, minor foundation cracks, outdated electrical
Major: Structural damage, active leaks, faulty wiring, HVAC failure
Negotiation Options:
Seller repairs issues before closing and provides credit at closing for repairs
Price reduction to account for needed work
Walk away if issues are deal-breakers
Red Flags
- Major structural or foundation issues
- Active water damage or mold
- Electrical or plumbing safety hazards
- Seller refuses to address significant problems
Green Lights
- Only minor, expected wear and tear
- Seller agrees to reasonable repairs
- Major systems functioning properly
- No safety hazards present
6 Appraisal & Financing (2-3 Weeks)
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Step 1
Appraisal ordered by lender
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Step 2
Property appraised at or above purchase price
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Step 3
Final underwriting completed
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Step 4
Clear to close received
Average Duration: 2-3 weeks
What's Happening: Lender orders appraisal and completes underwriting.
What to Expect: If appraisal comes in low, options include renegotiating price, increasing down payment, or walking away. Underwriting reviews every financial detail again.
Critical Don'ts During This Period:
- Change jobs or become self-employed
- Make large purchases (car, furniture, appliances)
- Open new credit cards or loans
- Make large deposits without documentation
- Co-sign loans for anyone
- Close credit card accounts
Appraisal Outcomes:
- At or above purchase price: Loan proceeds as planned
- Below purchase price: Gap must be covered or price renegotiated
- Significantly below: May signal overpricing or property issues
Red Flags
- Low appraisal with unwilling seller
- Underwriter requesting excessive documentation
- Last-minute credit issues discovered
- Loan approval conditions unmet
Green Lights
- Appraisal meets or exceeds price
- Clear to close issued
- All conditions satisfied
- Closing date confirmed
7 Final Walk-Through & Closing (1-2 Days)
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Step 1
Closing Disclosure reviewed
(3 days before closing) -
Step 2
Final walk-through completed
(24-48 hours before) and closing appointment scheduled -
Step 3
Documents signed and funds transferred
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Step 4
Keys received
Average Duration: 1-2 days
What's Happening: Final property verification and signing closing documents.
What to Expect: Closing takes 1-2 hours. Signing many documents. Wiring closing costs. Receiving keys immediately after signing. Most closings happen without drama when previous stages were handled properly.
Download the Complete Final Walk-Through Checklist Room-by-room inspection guide with systems to test, items to verify, and red flags to watch for before you sign.
At Closing Table:
Bring government-issued photo ID
Bring certified check or wire confirmation
Review all documents before signing
Ask questions about anything unclear
Receive keys, garage openers, security codes
Get copies of all signed documents
Red Flags
- Unexpected fees on Closing Disclosure
- Walk-through reveals incomplete repairs
- Seller delays or tries to postpone
- Missing funds or documentation
Green Lights
- Closing Disclosure matches expectations
- Walk-through reveals no issues
- All parties present and prepared
- Funds wire successfully
How Long Does It Take Once You’re Under Contract?
Build buffer time into expectations. Rushed timelines create stress and mistakes.
The right pace keeps the process smooth.
Total Timeline
45–90 days
(Once under contract)
Fastest Possible
30 days
(All-cash, no inspection, no contingencies)
Most Common
45–60 days
(Financed with normal contingencies)
Extended
90+ days
(Complex financing, repair negotiations, or scheduling delays)
Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent
The interview that protects your investment.
Choosing the right agent is one of the most important decisions in the home buying process. The wrong agent costs time, money, and peace of mind. The right agent makes everything smoother.
Or skip the guesswork entirely. PrimeStreet connects buyers and sellers with their ideal real estate agent, taking into consideration factors like price point, area, timeline, and specialization to ensure the agent is perfectly matched to what you need. No more interviewing dozens of agents or wondering if you picked the right one. PrimeStreet eliminates the pain of choosing wrong by doing the matching for you.
If you're vetting agents on your own, these aren't courtesy questions. They’re deal-makers or deal-breakers. Listen not just to what agents say, but how they say it. Confidence, clarity, and specifics matter more than charm.
Get the questions that separate top-performing agents from the rest.
Download the Agent Interview GuideReady to Start Your Journey?
You have the knowledge. You have the tools. You have the checklist. Now you need the right guide.
The difference between a smooth home purchase and a stressful one? Having a PrimeStreet agent who understands first-time buyers, knows these resources inside out, and protects your interests at every step.
PrimeStreet agents are equipped with:
- Direct connections to trusted lenders who know assistance programs
- Experience guiding hundreds of first-time buyers from application to keys
- Commitment to education over pressure
- Systems that keep your purchase on track
This isn't about finding any house. This is about finding your house, on your terms, with confidence.
See How PrimeStreet Matches You with the Right Agent
Answer a few questions and get connected with a real estate agent who fits your goals, timeline, and experience level — no pressure, no obligation.