Buying a house:
What to do before you make an offer on a home
Whether you’re just thinking about buying a home or about to close, we help you take control of the process.
Before you make an offer on a home
1. Prepare to shop
Not sure how to get started, how much you can afford, or what to expect when buying and financing a home? Set yourself up for success with a little bit of preparation.
KEY TOOLS
Preparing to shop for your mortgage
Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Choosing a mortgage to pay for your new home is just as important. Don’t rush into it.
Goals for this phase
Determine how much you want to spend on a home
Decide if it’s the right time to buy a new home
Gather your application paperwork
Action steps
Before you start shopping for a home and a mortgage, set yourself up for success by taking time to prepare. Use our step-by-step guide to check your credit, assess your finances, set your home-price budget, and more.
Before you make an offer on a home
2. Explore loan choices
Once you have a pretty good idea of your priorities and budget, you’re ready to start home shopping in earnest. Now is also the time to start exploring loan choices and meeting with lenders.
KEY TOOLS
Exploring your loan choices
Don’t wait until you find a home to start thinking about how to finance it. Take time now to explore your mortgage choices so that you’re ready when the right home comes along.
Goals for this phase
Contact multiple lenders to explore your choices
Select the type of loan that fits your needs
Place an offer on a home
Action steps
Follow the steps below to meet with lenders, ask questions, and decide what kind of mortgage is right for you. Getting a preapproval letter helps you show sellers that you are a serious buyer–but it doesn’t commit you to a lender. In the next phase, you’ll compare offers from different lenders and choose the best deal.
Tools for this phase
Glossary of loan options
Learn more about the different kinds of loans available and what to consider when deciding what kind of loan is right for you.
Interest rate explorer
The kind of loan you choose affects the interest rate you can expect to receive. Our tool lets you explore rates for different loan options.
Before you make an offer on a home
3. Compare loan offers
Once you’ve found the right home, it’s time to find the right mortgage. Get official loan offers from lenders, compare your options, and choose the loan offer that’s right for you.
KEY TOOLS
Comparing loan offers
Once you are ready to move forward with your home purchase, it’s time to choose a mortgage loan and a lender.
A Loan Estimate is a standardized form that tells you important details about your loan offer. Our guide tells you what to look for when comparing your offers and how to negotiate your offer.
Goals for this phase
Request Loan Estimates from multiple lenders
Compare offers and fine-tune your options
Choose a loan offer
Action steps
Follow the steps below to get and compare Loan Estimates from different lenders.
Tools for this phase
Interest rate explorer
Our tool shows you a range of rates you may expect to receive for different loan options.
Loan Estimate explainer
Our interactive sample form helps you double-check the details and get definitions for terms used on the Loan Estimate form.
4. Get ready to close
Once you’ve chosen a mortgage loan, it’s time to focus on the closing process. There will be lots of paperwork to submit and things to keep track of. We lay it out for you step by step.
KEY TOOLS
Before you make an offer on a home
Closing on your new home
Once your purchase offer has been accepted by the seller and you have chosen a loan and a lender, it’s time to focus on the closing process.
You’ll need to provide your lender with additional documents, so stay alert for requests and notifications. You’ll also need to get a home inspection and shop for homeowner’s and title insurance.
Goals for this phase
Submit documents required for underwriting (approval) of your loan
Choose the closing service providers you need for closing
Close (sign the papers) on your home and the loan you use to pay for it
Action steps
Signing your closing documents is the final step. Take time to review them carefully. Once you sign, you’re responsible for the mortgage loan.
Tools for this phase
Closing checklist
Our closing checklist lets you know what to expect at closing and what questions to ask so you will be prepared.
Closing Disclosure explainer
Our interactive sample form helps you double-check the details and get definitions for terms used on the Closing Disclosure form.
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