Buying Your First House Checklist May 2026

Maya walked through the house with a pro who pointed out a fussy water heater and a drafty window. She used this to ask for a small credit at closing.

She pulled her report, relieved to see it was in the "Excellent" range. This would be her golden ticket to lower interest rates.

She tallied her savings. It wasn't just the down payment (she was aiming for 10% to avoid massive monthly costs) but also the closing costs —those sneaky fees for lawyers and taxes that usually take up 2–5% of the home's price. buying your first house checklist

That night, Maya sat on the floor of her empty living room with Barnaby. No clanking radiators, no noisy neighbors upstairs. Just the quiet sound of a dream that had finally been checked off the list.

She found it—a craftsman cottage with a blue door. Her heart raced as Sarah drafted the offer. Maya walked through the house with a pro

The bank sent someone to ensure the house was actually worth what Maya was paying. It came back perfect.

"Okay," she whispered to her cat, Barnaby. "We’re doing this. But we’re doing it right." This would be her golden ticket to lower interest rates

The "Under Contract" sign went up, but the work wasn't over.