10 Steps to Buying a Home

1. Step 1: Start Your Research Early.
2. Step 2: Determine How Much House You Can Afford.
3. Step 3: Get Prequalified and Preapproved for credit for Your Mortgage.
4. Step 4: Find the Right Real Estate Agent.
5. Step 5: Shop for Your Home and Make an Offer.
6. Step 6: Get a Home Inspection.

How much money should I save before buying my first house?

If you’re getting a mortgage, a smart way to buy a house is to save up at least 25% of its sale price in cash to cover a down payment, closing costs and moving fees. So if you buy a home for $250,000, you might pay more than $60,000 to cover all of the different buying expenses.

Where can I buy my first home in Australia?

For more information on building a home with Stockland visit The process of buying your first home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve prepared 20 initial tips here to help you along the way, but one of the first things you should do is investigate if there are any grants you can take advantage of.

What are the first steps to buying a home?

The first step to buying a home is to learn what kind of ground you’re standing on from a lender’s perspective — and that means knowing your credit score. Your credit score affects the rate and amount of mortgage loan you can get, so knowing what your score is and correcting any problems will be important for you to get a good deal on a mortgage.

Which is the best guide to buying a home?

This guide is for people who are thinking of purchasing a home. First-time buyers may find it particularly useful, but as the buying process can change, even more experienced buyers can benefit from understanding the latest key steps. It is focused on freehold properties.

Do you need a mortgage to buy a house?

Before you start looking for a new home, you should have an idea of how much you can afford to spend on a property. Most buyers will require a mortgage in order to purchase a home. You can typically borrow a multiple of your household income and this amount will be influenced by your credit score.