What are the steps to buying a house?

In rough order: check your credit and budget, get pre-approved for a mortgage, research areas and view homes, make an offer, get an inspection and appraisal, sort out insurance and closing costs, do a final walk-through, and sign the closing documents. Some steps overlap, but pre-approval before serious viewing and an inspection before closing are the ones not to skip.

How much do I need to save to buy a home?

Beyond the down payment, plan for closing costs (often a few percent of the price), moving costs, and a cushion for repairs and early bills. A larger down payment usually means a smaller loan and a better rate, but keep some savings back rather than spending everything on the purchase. This is general guidance, not financial advice — talk to a mortgage professional about your situation.

Do I really need a home inspection when buying?

In almost all cases, yes. An inspection can reveal problems — roof, foundation, wiring, plumbing — that cost far more than the inspection itself, and it gives you room to renegotiate or walk away. Skipping it to make an offer more attractive is a gamble that can go badly wrong. Even on a new build, an independent inspection is worth it.

Home Buying Checklist

Buying a home has a lot of moving parts, and the order you do them in matters — getting pre-approved before you fall for a place, inspecting before you close. This checklist lays out the process from budget to keys so nothing important slips between your agent, lender, and lawyer. Every situation is different, so treat it as a map, not financial advice. See more real estate checklists.

Curated by the Gisti team · Updated July 2026

Home Buying Checklist · 15 items

Check your credit and pay down what you can before applying
A better score can mean a lower mortgage rate — worth doing a few months ahead.
Set a realistic budget that includes the down payment and monthly costs, not just the price
Factor in taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any HOA or strata fees — not only the mortgage payment.
Get a mortgage pre-approval so you know your true price range and can move fast
Pre-approval is stronger than pre-qualification and shows sellers you're serious.
Research neighbourhoods, commute, schools, and how the area feels at different times
Make a must-have versus nice-to-have list to keep viewings focused
Line up and attend viewings, and compare each place against your list
Photograph every place — after a few viewings they blur together.
Make an offer and negotiate the price and terms with your agent
Hire a licensed home inspector once your offer is accepted
The inspection can uncover issues worth renegotiating or walking away over — don't skip it to save money.
Review the property title, survey, and history for liens, disputes, or easements
A title search makes sure the seller can actually sell and there are no surprise claims.
Get the property appraised, which your lender will usually require
Compare home insurance quotes and lock in a policy before closing
Budget for closing costs on top of the down payment
Closing costs often run a few percent of the price — legal fees, taxes, and lender charges add up.
Do a final walk-through to confirm the condition and that agreed repairs are done
This is your last chance to catch a new problem before the keys change hands.
Review and sign the closing documents, and keep copies of everything
Set up utilities, change your address, and collect the keys and any codes or manuals

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