Home Buying Process Timeline: 17 Steps Every Buyer Should Know

Buying a home takes about six months, give or take. It’s not just about scrolling through listings and picking your favorite. There are many steps involved, each with its own timeline. Between setting a budget, getting pre-approved, and closing the deal, getting everything squared away can make all the difference.

Whether you’re purchasing your first home or need a refresher, understanding each step in the home buying process timeline can help you avoid surprises and feel more confident along the way. Let’s break down the 17 key steps every buyer should know, so you can plan ahead and move forward with clarity.

Home buying timeline:

1. • Determine your budget
   • Get pre-approved for a mortgage
   • Find a real estate agent
   • Start your home search
   • Visit open houses
   • Reapply for mortgage approval if necessary
   • Make an offer
   • Negotiate home price
   • Start the closing process
   • Deposit earnest money
   • Order your title
   • Line up a home inspection
   • Finalize the home sale
   • Finalize mortgage application and appraisal
   • Receive loan approval
   • Final walk through
   • Pay closing costs and sign paperwork

1. Determine your budget

Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

Before jumping into your home search the first step is to determine how much you can afford. You may have saved enough for your down payment, but make sure to also account for closing costs, taxes, insurance, and any other unforeseen expenses that may arise.

Rule of thumb: Aim to spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing costs, and keep your total debt payments under 36% of your income.

It’s also a good time to check your finances. Make sure you’ve paid down your credit cards and that your credit score is in good shape. Double-check that you’ve filed your taxes, and that you have a clear paper trail for any major financial transactions you’ve made recently.

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s assessment of how much they’re willing to lend you based on your income, assets, debts, and credit history. It not only keeps you realistic about your options, but it also signals to sellers that you’re a qualified and serious buyer.

Don’t just default to your current bank. It’s best to shop around to find the best rate and determine the best type of mortgage loan for you. Keep in mind that pre-approval letters have expiration dates, so take note of yours. If it expires, you can reapply with updated financial info.

>>Read: How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: 7 Steps for Success

3. Find a real estate agent

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate agent who represents your best interests throughout the home buying journey. The right agent will have expertise on the housing market, understand the area inside and out, be familiar with local listing agents, and know how to negotiate. 

Ask for referrals from friends and family, read online reviews, and interview a few agents. Be sure to ask key questions like how well they know the neighborhood, recent buyer transactions, and availability for showings. 

If you’re using a platform like Redfin, you can browse local agents’ profiles, see their past deals, and connect instantly.

4. Start your home search

Estimated time: 1-3 months

Begin by defining your priorities. 

• Are you looking at homes for sale in Juneau, AK or Miami, FL? 
• Are you set on buying a house in a particular school district or neighborhood? 
• How many bedrooms do you need? 
• Do you prefer a single-family home or are you open to townhouses?
• What is your commute tolerance?
• Are there must-have features? 

Use online tools to explore listings and narrow down your options based on your criteria.

5. Visit open houses and go on home tours

Estimated time: 1-3 months

When touring multiple homes, it’s easy to lose track of details. Take notes as you’re touring each property, jotting down standout features, concerns, and your overall impressions to help compare later. 

Ask your agent targeted questions about the property’s history, neighborhood, and market trends. Their insights can reveal hidden pros and cons you might miss.

>>Read: What to Look For on a Home Tour

6. Reapply for mortgage approval if necessary

Estimated time: 1 week

If you didn’t get a pre-approval letter, now’s the time. Most letters last for 60 to 90 days. If your search extends beyond that, reapply.

7. Make an offer

Estimated time: 1-3 days

Once you’ve found the home to call your own, it’s time to move quickly. Submit your offer as soon as possible after the house tour. Work with your agent to determine a competitive price based on recent sales, current market demand, and how many buyers are interested. Decide on important terms like earnest money deposits, contingencies (inspection, financing), and closing dates that can make your offer stand out. Your agent will draft and submit a formal offer letter to the seller’s agent.

8. Negotiate home price

Estimated time: 1 week

Counter-offers are common and should be expected when buying a house. These can include changes to the purchase price, closing date, or contract contingencies. You may go back and forth with the seller a few times before you come to terms you both agree on.

In competitive markets, you might face multiple counteroffers or bidding wars, so knowing when to stand firm or walk away is key.

9. Start the closing process

Estimated time: 30-45 days

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll enter escrow and begin the closing process, typically lasting 30 to 45 days. During this time, your lender will finalize your mortgage, the home will be appraised and inspected, and a title search will be conducted. 

Expect frequent communication with your agent, lender, and escrow agency as they guide you through the final steps of the home buying process timeline.

You’ll also need to secure homeowners insurance, review the closing disclosure, and complete a final walkthrough before signing the paperwork and transferring funds.

>>Read: 10 Steps to Closing on a House: A Guide to the Closing Process

10. Deposit earnest money

Estimated time: 1-3 days

After the seller has accepted the offer, the earnest money (typically 1% to 3% of the home’s purchase price) will be deposited into an escrow account or held by the listing agent. This deposit shows the seller you’re serious about the purchase and holds your place in the deal.

Once the sale of the home has been completed, the amount will be applied toward your closing costs. If the sale falls through for a reason protected by your contingencies (like a failed inspection or financing issue), you’ll usually get the money back. If not, you may forfeit it.

11. Order your title

Estimated time: 1 week

Within a week after you reach mutual acceptance on an offer, you’ll receive a preliminary title report from an escrow agent or attorney. This report ensures there are no legal issues with the property’s ownership. Once the transaction closes, you’ll receive a final title policy as part of your closing documents.

12. Schedule a home inspection

Estimated time: 1 week

The home inspection is crucial as it allows you to uncover any material defects or necessary repairs before purchasing the home. Review the results of the inspection carefully because many states hold a buyer responsible for investigating issues found during the inspection. 

If there’s an inspection contingency, you can negotiate with sellers to cover the costs of certain repairs, ask for concessions, or back out of the sale.

13. Finalize the home sale

Estimated time: 1-3 days

With negotiations complete, it’s time to finalize and sign the purchase agreement. You’ll review and sign the purchase agreement, officially committing to the home and moving one step closer to closing day.

14. Finalize mortgage application and appraisal

Estimated time: 1 week

Even if you’ve been pre-approved, you still need to meet with your lender and finalize your mortgage application. At this stage, the lender will also request an appraisal to confirm the property’s value before moving forward.

Tip: If the appraisal comes in low, you may need to renegotiate the price or cover the difference out of pocket.

>>Read: How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

15. Receive loan approval

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

A licensed appraiser will assess the home’s market value by comparing recent sales of similar properties nearby. After completion, it will typically take around two weeks for the lender to get all the paperwork and approval completed.

16. Final walk through

Estimated time: 1 day

Now’s the time to verify the home’s condition hasn’t changed since your last visit, and that all agreed-upon repairs have been made. This normally takes place 24 hours before the scheduled closing day, giving you confidence before officially taking ownership.

17. Pay closing costs and sign all paperwork

Estimated time: 1 day

On closing day, come prepared with a government-issued ID and any requested documents. Be prepared to pay your down payment and closing costs—usually via cashier’s check or wire transfer.

You’ll review and sign multiple documents that finalize the sale, including the mortgage agreement and deed. This step officially transfers ownership, so take your time to understand what you’re signing.

You’re ready for your new home

Congratulations on reaching the final step of the home buying process timeline! Depending on if your house is move-in ready or not, you might have some maintenance and remodeling to take on before moving in. Don’t forget to plan for moving services, new furnishings and appliances, and setting up utilities. You’ll pay for these after the house is yours but may want to factor them into your budget or create a separate post-move budget. With your new keys in hand, you’re finally ready to make this place your home.