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

by Daniel Reyes

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.

The post First-Time Buyer’s Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before You Offer appeared first on House Logic.

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