First-Time Buyer’s Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before You Offer

Making an offer on a home is exciting — and terrifying. Before you sign anything, run through this checklist. Every item here has saved a buyer from an expensive mistake.

Before You Even Look

• Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. Sellers take pre-approved buyers seriously.
• Know your true monthly number — taxes, insurance, and HOA fees included.
• Check your credit report for errors at least 90 days before applying.

When You Find the One

• Visit at different times of day. That quiet street at 2pm might be a school-pickup racetrack at 3:15.
• Pull the permit history. Unpermitted additions become your problem at resale.
• Ask for utility bills from the last 12 months — drafty houses show up in the numbers.
• Research comparable sales from the last 90 days, not the asking prices nearby.

Before You Offer

• Never waive the inspection contingency, no matter how hot the market feels.
• Confirm what stays: appliances, window treatments, that shed out back.
• Understand every contingency deadline in the contract — missing one can cost you your deposit.

The Bottom Line

The best offer isn’t always the highest one — it’s the one with clean terms, realistic timelines, and a buyer who did their homework. Be that buyer.

Keep reading: don’t miss building a home maintenance calendar and the curb appeal fixes sellers use.

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