Buying a home
A plain-English checklist for first-time home buyers
By LeaAnn Taylor · October 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Buying your first home is a big decision, but it is not a mysterious one. This checklist walks through the process the way a neighbor would: what to sort out before you start looking, what to pay attention to when you tour, and what to double-check before you sign. Pencil in what fits your life and skip what does not.
Before you start looking
The most useful thing you can do before touring a single house is get your numbers straight. You do not need to be an expert; you just need a realistic picture of what you can afford and what it will cost each month.
- Add up your monthly budget, and remember the costs beyond the mortgage: property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, and upkeep.
- Get pre-approved with a local lender, so you know your number and can move quickly when the right house comes along.
- Make two lists: what you must have, and what would be nice. Be honest about which is which.
When you find a home you like
The listing photo and the sidewalk view tell different stories. Slow down and look at the house as a place you would actually live.
- Tour the house more than once, at different times of day, to see light, noise, and traffic.
- Ask about the age of the roof, furnace, water heater, and windows, and about how the house has been maintained.
- Picture your daily routine in the space: where the coffee maker goes, where the kids do homework, where you park.
Before you sign anything
- Always get a home inspection, and read the report. No house is perfect; the point is to know what you are agreeing to.
- Review the final numbers with your lender, including closing costs, so there are no surprises at the table.
- Read every document, and ask whenever anything is not clear. There are no silly questions.
“A first home does not have to be perfect. It has to be yours, and affordable, and a place you look forward to coming home to.”
The takeaway
Buying a home is a long list of small steps, and you do not need to have every answer on day one. The best thing you can do is work with people who explain things plainly and let you take it at your own pace. If you are starting to look in the Wilmington area, I would be glad to talk through where you are in the process, no pressure and no jargon.