First home buying checklist

First home buying checklist

A first home buying checklist gives you an overview and prevents you from missing important parts. You are facing an exciting step: buying your first home. This checklist helps you check if you've really thought about everything. No explanation of the process, but clear points to tick off. That way, you know exactly where you are.

1. Preparation: before you want to buy a home
2. Search and see: look well prepared
3. Bidding
4. Legal and financial
5. Notary and transfer
6. After the purchase: moving and finishing

Instead of a checklist, do you want to see the steps you take when buying your first home? Then, in this detailed article, check out the steps to buying your dream home.

{{cta}}

1. Preparation: before you want to buy a house

Before you start looking for your first home for sale, you need to figure this out.

• Your housing needs are clear (type of home, location, apartment or house).
• Your financial options have been identified.
• You know how much you can borrow based on your income and monthly expenses.
• You know how much own money is needed for copper costs.
• You take into account changes such as unemployment or temporarily reduced income.

If these points are correct, start your search with realistic expectations. You know what you can afford, what you are looking for and where your limits lie for your home for sale. This way, you can avoid disappointment later in the process.

2. Search and view: look well prepared

During the search and every viewing, you check these points.

• You are actively looking for a home within your budget and housing needs.
• You compare multiple homes, such as an existing home or a new building.
• You pay attention to the condition of the home and possible maintenance costs.
• You assess the home value and compare it with similar houses.
• You hire a purchasing agent to help with this.
• You will be well prepared for each viewing and asks specific questions.
• You note down points of interest for renovating or furnishing your new home.

By consciously comparing homes and viewing them well prepared, you make choices based on facts rather than feelings. This way, you can see more quickly whether a home really suits you.

3. Bidding

This should be clear before you make an offer.

• You know the maximum purchase price for your first home.
• You have a bid strategy determined, possibly together with a broker.
• You take into account the loan and future monthly payments.
• You include resolutive terms in your bid.
• You discuss what items you're taking over from the seller or the old house.
• You'll know what changes once your bid is accepted.

With these points in order, you make a bid that is financially correct and defensible. You avoid being stuck with agreements later that do not suit your situation.

{{cta}}

4. Legal and financial

Now everything is officially recorded.

• You have the mortgage arranged via a mortgage advisor.
• You submit a mortgage application to a mortgage provider.
• You choose an appropriate type of mortgage and mortgage rate.
• You have an architectural inspection carried out.
• You control valuation costs and home value.
• You check whether you are entitled to starter loan or National Mortgage Guarantee.
• You know whether you are entitled to a fixed amount through a loan or arrangement.
• You will sign the purchase contract and check all documents.

In this phase, everything becomes final. By checking every document and appointment, you can be sure you're signing with confidence and there are no surprises.

5. Notary and transfer

You arrange this towards the key transfer.

• You choose a notary.
• You sign the mortgage deed and other documents.
• You pay transfer tax and other copper costs.
• The transfer will be officially recorded.
• You carry out a final inspection before the key transfer takes place.
• You will receive the keys to your new home.

After the transfer, you are officially the owner of the house. By preparing this properly, the key transfer runs smoothly and you can start your new chapter without stress.

6. After the purchase: moving and finishing

Even after the key transfer this checklist continues to provide guidance.

• You arrange the move and know how many moving boxes are needed.
• You use sturdy boxes for your stuff.
• You report changes of address.
• You arrange insurance for your new home.
• You are thinking about possible furnishing (for example with online color selectors or interior designs).

Even after the key transfer, this checklist provides guidance. By completing everything calmly, as new residents, you start with an empty head and a nice new home.

What do you need to consider when buying your first home?

When buying your first home, you not only pay attention to the home itself, but especially to the choices you make along the way. Think about how you deal with tension while bidding, how realistic your expectations are and which mistakes starters often only discover afterwards. These are exactly the times when a checklist alone does not provide sufficient guidance.

These points of attention help you make better choices at the moments that have the most impact. Do you want to delve deeper into these pitfalls by topic and know exactly how to prevent them? Then read our tips to look for when buying your first home.