Home buyer's checklist

This handy form can help you keep track of home-buying tasks.

Buying a home involves a myriad of tasks, especially when the purchase includes a new mortgage. While no two transactions are exactly alike, this checklist can help you organize what you’ll need to do after you’ve found a home you want to buy.

□ Negotiate and sign a purchase contract with the seller.

□ Complete and sign a formal loan application.

□ Review the lender’s disclosure documents, which should include a Good Faith Estimate, Truth-in-Lending Statement and other legally required disclosures, if applicable.

□ Submit your loan documents to the lender. Documents you may be asked to provide could include:

• Paycheck stubs
• W-2 forms
• Proof of additional income such as alimony, child support or rental income
• Two months of bank statements
• Two months of investment account statements
• Two years of federal and state income tax returns
• Two years of financial statements, if you’re self employed
• Proof of funds for your deposit, down payment and closing costs
• Explanation of any derogatory items on your credit report
• Divorce decree, if applicable
• Discharge of bankruptcy, if applicable
• Other documents requested by the lender

□ Review the seller’s property transfer disclosure statement, if legally required.

□ Review home inspector’s report, if obtained as provided for in your purchase contract.

□ Obtain a copy of the appraisal for your files.

□ Review the survey or title report as appropriate and customary.

□ Review homeowners’ association documents, if applicable.

□ Obtain approval of the homeowners’ association board, if applicable.

□ Purchase homeowner’s insurance.

□ Purchase any specialty property insurance (e.g., flood, earthquake) that may be required or that you want to buy.

□ Pack your belongings.

□ Hire a moving company or reserve a truck and recruit friends and family to help you move.

□ Notify your landlord to terminate your lease or rental agreement.

□ Notify the U.S. Postal Service of your new address.

□ Contact utility companies to transfer water, electric and gas services into your name.

□ Walk through the home before closing, if provided for in your purchase contract.

□ Obtain a cashier’s check for the balance remaining on your down payment and for any additional closing costs to be paid at closing.

□ Sign and obtain copies of your closing documents.

□ Pick up the keys to your new home!