Home buying checklist
Every step of buying a home in order: budget and mortgage, viewings, offer, inspection and closing.

BEFORE YOU START
- Check your credit report and fix any errors
- Work out how much you can borrow and how much you are comfortable paying monthly
- Save the deposit and a reserve for fees and moving costs
- Get a mortgage pre-approval or agreement in principle
- List your must-haves and nice-to-haves
- Choose the areas you want to search in

SEARCHING AND VIEWING
- Set up alerts on property portals and with local agents
- Visit each property at different times of day
- Check the neighbourhood: noise, parking, transport, shops, schools
- Look for damp, cracks, old wiring, plumbing and roof condition
- Ask why the owner is selling and how long it has been on the market
- Compare the asking price with recent sales nearby

MAKING AN OFFER
- Decide your maximum price before negotiating
- Make the offer in writing through the agent
- Confirm what is included in the sale: fixtures, appliances, furniture
- Agree on timelines and any conditions
- Ask about the seller's chain or plans so you know the risks

CHECKS AND LEGAL WORK
- Hire a solicitor, notary or conveyancer
- Order a survey or building inspection
- Review the title, boundaries and any easements
- Check for planning permissions and any restrictions
- For apartments, read the building rules, service charges and recent meeting minutes
- Check energy performance and running costs
- Verify there are no outstanding debts or claims on the property

FINANCING
- Compare mortgage offers on rate, fees and flexibility
- Submit the full mortgage application with all documents
- Arrange buildings insurance, effective from exchange or purchase
- Budget for taxes, legal fees and registration costs

CLOSING
- Review the final contract with your legal adviser
- Do a final walk-through of the property
- Transfer funds for the deposit and completion
- Sign the contract and any transfer documents
- Collect the keys and take meter readings
- Keep all documents in one place

AFTER YOU MOVE IN
- Change the locks
- Set up utilities, internet and waste collection
- Register your new address with banks, employer and authorities
- Locate the water shutoff, fuse box and gas shutoff
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors