Home Buying Checklist
Your complete step-by-step guide from saving to moving in. Check items off as you go — your progress is saved automatically.
You can check for free at annualcreditreport.com. You get one free report from each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) per year.
Focus on credit card debt first. Lower debt means a better debt-to-income ratio, which helps you qualify for more.
Typically 3.5-20% of the home price. FHA loans require as little as 3.5%, but 20% avoids PMI.
Lenders want to see reserves. Plus, homeownership comes with unexpected costs.
New credit inquiries can temporarily lower your score. Wait until after closing.
You will need 2 years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, 2-3 months of bank statements, and W-2s.
Not sure how much you can borrow?
Pre-Qualification Estimator