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House hunting

House hunting checklist: from budget to the offer

House hunting goes faster and calmer when the decisions are made before the search starts. This checklist puts the money, the paperwork and the priorities in place so that when the right home appears, you are ready.

Reviewed November 2026 · Written for Buy Home Tips from the sources listed below

A good search starts weeks before the first showing. The goal is to make the big decisions once, calmly, so that each home is measured against a plan rather than a feeling.

Sample scoring sheet weightsLocation and commute25pointsCondition and age of systems25pointsLayout and size20pointsMonthly cost20pointsOutdoor space10points
Sample scoring sheet weights. Example weights from this guide; set your own

Step 1: Set your limits

Decide on a monthly payment you are comfortable with, including taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and any association dues. Work back to a price range with the payment calculator. Then compare it with what a lender says you qualify for, and use the lower figure.

Step 2: Prepare the money and the paperwork

  • Gather pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, and two months of bank statements.
  • Get a preapproval or prequalification letter based on verified information.
  • Keep the down payment, closing cost estimate and earnest money deposit in an account you can access quickly.
  • Avoid new credit and large unexplained deposits.

Step 3: Define what you want

Write down three must-haves and three deal-breakers. Must-haves are things you cannot change later, such as location, lot or number of bedrooms. Finishes and paint are not must-haves.

Then build a scoring sheet. Give each category a weight that adds up to 100, and score each home from 1 to 5 in each category right after the tour.

Step 4: Research areas before touring

  • Commute: test the drive or transit trip at the time you would actually travel.
  • Flood risk: look up addresses on FEMA's flood map, and ask about flood insurance even outside high-risk zones.
  • Property taxes: check the county's records; a new purchase can lead to a reassessment.
  • Rules and dues: if there is an association, ask for dues, rules and recent assessments.
  • Future changes: check local planning sites for nearby construction or road projects.

Step 5: Tour with a method

Use the same tour routine and scoring sheet in every home. Photograph systems labels, note questions and fill in the sheet before you drive to the next showing. If you are working with an agent, the written buyer agreement needs to be signed before the first tour.

Step 6: Be ready to move

Decide in advance who needs to see a home before an offer, how quickly you can respond and what your top price is for each type of home. Know how much earnest money you can deposit and how long your inspection and financing contingencies need to be.

After each weekend

Update your list: what you learned about prices, which areas fit and whether your must-haves are realistic. If every home in your range needs major work, adjust the range, the area or the expectations before you adjust the budget.

Mini calculator: the full monthly payment

Price, down payment, rate and term give principal and interest. Add your own quotes for property tax, insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA dues to see the whole bill.

Enter your figures to see the result. Nothing you type leaves this page.

A planning estimate, not a loan offer. The rate shown by default is only a placeholder; type a rate from a real Loan Estimate.

The house hunting checklist

  • Set a monthly payment limit from your budget, not the maximum approval.
  • Get a preapproval letter based on verified documents.
  • Save the cash for the down payment, closing costs and earnest money.
  • List three must-haves and three deal-breakers.
  • Research commute, flood risk and property taxes for each area.
  • Use one scoring sheet for every tour.
  • Decide in advance how fast you can make an offer and who must agree.

Questions buyers ask

What should I do before house hunting?

Set a payment limit from your own budget, check your credit, get a letter from a lender based on verified documents, and save for the down payment, closing costs and earnest money.

How many houses should I look at before buying?

There is no right number. Touring enough homes to understand prices and condition in your range is more useful than reaching a count.

How do I compare houses objectively?

Use the same scoring sheet for every home, with weights for what matters most to you, and fill it in right after each tour.

What should I research about a neighborhood?

Commute times, flood zones, property taxes, association rules and dues, noise, and plans for nearby development are all worth checking before you make an offer.

Sources checked for this page

Checked November 2026. Programs and limits change; confirm with the source before you rely on a figure.

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