Home Buying Checklist

There are many activities involved before, during, and after buying a home. Below is a list of some of the key activities.

Before Opening Escrow

• Meet with your real estate advisor to discuss your home requirements, time frame, and develop a home buying plan.
• Review the Essential Home Buying information, including Home Buying Process Diagram, Home Buying Tips, Frequently Asked Questions, Home Buyer’s Handbook, Home Buying Costs, Schools Information, Getting Pre-Approved for a Home Loan, Items Needed to Place an Offer.
• Speak with a recommended lender and get pre-approved for a home loan and provide a copy of the pre-approval letter to your real estate advisor.
• Complete a Loan Application with your loan officer.
• Select homes that you are would like to visit with your real estate advisor.
• View prospective homes that you are interested in buying, with your real estate advisor.
• Decide which home you would like to buy.
• Review comparables information to understand the current market value of the home that you would like to buy.
• Work with your real estate advisor to place an offer on the home that you would like to buy.

During Escrow

• Mail your earnest money deposit check to the escrow company.
• Provide your loan officer your financial statements for your home loan.
• Review the seller’s and agents’ disclosures.
• Review the Natural Hazards Report.
• Review the Termite Inspection Report.
• Attend the home inspection at the property with a professional home inspector and your real estate advisor.
• Review the Home Inspection Report.
• Work with your real estate advisor to prepare a Request for Repairs to be submitted to the seller.
• Review and sign the Escrow Instructions documents and return them to the escrow company.
• Review the Preliminary Title Report.
• Review the homeowner association documents, if the home is covered by a homeowner association.
• Obtain property insurance from your insurance company and have them provide the insurance binder to the escrow company.
• Review the Estimated Settlement Statement for accuracy.
• Perform a final walkthrough of the home with your real estate advisor to verify the property condition, including that any repairs by the seller have been completed.
• Review and sign your Loan Documents with a notary public.
• Wire your remaining down payment funds to the escrow company.
• Begin packing and planning your move. Schedule a moving truck or company if needed.
• Call the utility companies and change the utilities of your new home into your name.

After Close of Escrow

• Call the utility companies and cancel the utilities at your previous home.
• Complete a change-of-address with the United States Post Office.