The 18 Crucial Steps in the Home Buying Process

The home buying process is pretty simple and straight forward, but I probably think that way because I'm so accustomed to working with home buyers that the entire path is ingrained in my brain.

For home buyers who purchase maybe one or two homes in a lifetime, the path to home buying can appear complicated and confusing. Some wonder if they should first call a lender or a real estate agent. What happens after an offer is signed? How long does it take to close, and are there any hoops to jump through?

I've laid out the steps from A to Z for you -- detailing the entire home buying process -- answering all those questions and more. In some states, buyers prepare an offer letter and conduct home inspections before entering into a purchase contract. But the basic procedure is still the same.

If you follow each of the 18 steps, even if some are out of order as I have listed them, you will still end up receiving the keys to your dream home. But you can't leave out crucial steps out of the home buying process without asking for trouble . . . read more about Home Buying Process.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub, click below:

• Reasons to Buy a Home
  
• 12 Ways to Find a Down Payment
  
• How Much are Buyer's Closing Costs?

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_{At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE # 00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.}

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