Tip Tuesday: What are the steps to buying a house?

1. Check your credit score.
2. Figure out how much house you can afford.
3. Find a Real Estate Agent.
4. Get pre-approved
5. Start searching for your home.
6. Make an offer.
7. Schedule the inspection.
8. Secure your financing.
9. Purchase homeowner’s insurance policy.
10. Close and move to your new home.

Buying a home can be stressful during the best of times, and it might feel positively overwhelming during a pandemic. Although a few of the details may look different right now, the overall process of buying remains the same — and understanding the key steps can help you reach your goal and make your dream a reality.

No matter when you plan to buy, there are a few things you should know. On average, the process of buying a house takes roughly six months. That includes about 4.4 months to shop, plus 30-45 days to close. The process of buying a house includes more than just touring homes. You also need to review your credit and financing options, find the right real estate agent, make offers and negotiate, get an inspection, prepare to move and, eventually, close on your new home.