First-time buyers who move fast usually followed a checklist. Here's ours — the actual order, from first thought to closing.
1. Pull all three credit scores. Focus on your middle score — that's what mortgage lenders use.
2. Talk to a lender before a Realtor. Understand your comfortable price range and program options before you fall in love with a listing.
3. Gather documents in one pass: 30 days of pay stubs, 2 years of W-2s or tax returns, 2 months of every asset statement, and a photo ID. Send them together.
4. Get pre-approved in writing. Not pre-qualified — pre-approved, with the letter to prove it. It's the difference between a serious offer and a wishful one.
5. Interview 2–3 Realtors. Pick one who knows your target market, communicates in the medium you prefer, and respects your budget.
6. Understand your offer strategy before you write. What's your maximum? What contingencies can you drop? Your lender and Realtor should coordinate here.
7. Once under contract, respond to lender requests within 24 hours. Delays here cost days, and days cost extensions.
8. Do the inspection. Even in competitive markets, know what you're buying. Ask for repairs or credits on real safety issues.
9. Line up utilities, insurance, and movers 1–2 weeks before closing. Insurance in particular has to be bound before closing.
10. At closing: bring your ID, review the Closing Disclosure against your Loan Estimate, and don't sign anything you don't understand. Then take the keys.