1. Determine your budget Calculate your monthly expenses, savings, and determine how much you can afford for a down payment and mortgage 2. Estimate how much home you can afford Calculate roughly what a home would cost with taxes, and insurance 3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage Contact a mortgage broker or lender to get pre-approved, which will help you know your borrowing capacity 4. List your priorities Use MustWants! Define your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers in a home (e.g., location, size, style, features) HINT: Use MustWants! 5. Choose a real estate agent Select a reputable, experienced agent who knows the local market and can guide you through the process. HINT AGAIN: Use MustWants! 6. Start your search Use online resources, search with MustWants app, collaborate with your chosen Real Estate Professional to find homes that meet your true Musts and Wants. 7. Attend open houses and showings Work with your chosen Real Estate Professional and Schedule appointments to visit homes in person, and take notes about each property 8. Evaluate properties Use the MustWants App to take notes on each home, Compare the pros and cons of each property, considering factors like price, location, condition, locations of interest 9. Make an offer Work with your Agent to draft a competitive offer, including contingencies and deadlines 10. Home inspection Hire a professional home inspector to evaluate the property's condition and identify any issues 11. Negotiate repairs or price adjustments Work with your Agent, Based on the inspection results, negotiate repairs or a lower price with the seller 12. Secure financing Finalize your mortgage application with the lender, providing required documentation 13. Appraisal The lender will order an appraisal to verify the property's value and ensure it meets their lending criteria 14. Obtain homeowners insurance Purchase a home insurance policy to protect your investment and meet lender requirements 15. Prepare for closing Review the closing documents with your agent, and confirm the final costs and payment details 16. Attend the closing Sign the required paperwork, pay the closing costs and down payment, and receive the keys/remotes to your new home