Step-by-Step Checklist for Buying a Home in Massachusetts

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, but it becomes much easier when you know what to expect. Use this checklist to help guide you from your first planning conversation through closing day.

Step 1: Get Financially Prepared

  • Review your monthly income, expenses, debts, and savings.
  • Check your credit and address any errors or concerns.
  • Determine how much you are comfortable spending each month—not simply the maximum amount you may qualify to borrow.
  • Set aside funds for your down payment.
  • Budget for closing costs, inspections, moving expenses, insurance, and initial homeownership expenses.
  • Avoid opening new credit accounts, financing a vehicle, or making large purchases while preparing to buy.

Step 2: Speak With a Mortgage Professional

  • Talk with a reputable mortgage lender or loan officer.
  • Discuss available loan programs, including conventional, FHA, VA, and other programs for which you may qualify.
  • Ask about Massachusetts first-time homebuyer or down-payment-assistance programs if applicable.
  • Compare interest rates, fees, estimated monthly payments, and closing costs.
  • Obtain a current mortgage pre-approval before seriously shopping for a home.
  • Understand the difference between your pre-approved amount and the monthly payment you are personally comfortable carrying.

Step 3: Choose Your Buyer’s Real Estate Agent

  • Interview and select a Massachusetts real estate professional who represents buyers.
  • Discuss your goals, budget, preferred communities, property type, timeframe, and concerns.
  • Review and understand the agency relationship.
  • Review the terms of your buyer representation agreement before signing it.
  • Discuss how your buyer’s agent will be compensated and whether any portion of that compensation may be requested from the seller as part of an offer.

Step 4: Define Your Home-Buying Priorities

Create two lists.

Must-Haves

  • Preferred towns or geographic area
  • Maximum price
  • Minimum number of bedrooms
  • Minimum number of bathrooms
  • Property type
  • Yard or lot requirements
  • Parking or garage requirements
  • Accessibility or one-level living requirements
  • Commuting or transportation considerations

Nice-to-Haves

  • Finished basement
  • Central air conditioning
  • Updated kitchen
  • Home office
  • Additional garage space
  • Larger yard
  • Additional bedrooms
  • Other preferred features

Step 5: Begin Your Home Search

  • Have your agent create a property search based on your criteria.
  • Review new listings as they become available.
  • Attend private showings and open houses.
  • Compare properties based on condition, location, price, taxes, utilities, and overall suitability.
  • Look beyond paint colors and decorating choices and evaluate the home’s major systems and overall condition.
  • Ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Step 6: Research the Property Before Making an Offer

Before deciding what you are willing to pay, consider:

  • Recent comparable home sales.
  • Current competing properties.
  • How long the property has been on the market.
  • Property taxes.
  • Public water versus private well.
  • Public sewer versus private septic system.
  • Heating system and fuel type.
  • Approximate ages of the roof, heating system, cooling system, windows, and other major components when known.
  • Condominium fees and documents if purchasing a condominium.
  • Known easements, restrictions, or other property considerations when available.
  • Whether the property was built before 1978 and is subject to lead-paint disclosure requirements.
  • Available seller disclosures and other property documentation.

Step 7: Prepare Your Offer

Your real estate agent will help you determine an appropriate offer strategy based on the property and current market conditions.

  • Decide on your offer price.
  • Determine your proposed deposit amounts.
  • Select your desired closing date.
  • Review financing terms.
  • Include appropriate financing protections when applicable.
  • Include appropriate inspection provisions.
  • Review any requested seller concessions.
  • Discuss appraisal considerations.
  • Review included and excluded personal property.
  • Carefully review all terms before signing.
  • Make sure you understand what happens to your deposits under the offer terms.

Remember: Price is important, but sellers may also evaluate financing, contingencies, deposits, timing, and other terms.

Step 8: Review Your Massachusetts Home-Inspection Rights

Massachusetts protects a prospective buyer’s opportunity to obtain a home inspection.

  • Review the Massachusetts home-inspection disclosure provided in connection with your purchase contract.
  • Understand your inspection rights before signing your offer or Purchase and Sale Agreement.
  • Select a properly licensed Massachusetts home inspector.
  • Schedule the inspection promptly within your contractual timeframe.
  • Attend the inspection whenever possible.
  • Ask questions and learn about the home’s systems and maintenance requirements.
  • Carefully review the written inspection report.
  • Discuss significant findings with your real estate agent and attorney.

Depending upon your property and circumstances, you may also consider specialized inspections or evaluations for:

  • Radon
  • Pest or wood-destroying insects
  • Well water and water quality
  • Septic system
  • Mold
  • Chimney or fireplace
  • Structural concerns
  • Electrical concerns
  • Environmental concerns

Step 9: Review Lead-Paint Information When Applicable

Massachusetts homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint.

  • Review the Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification when required.
  • Review any available lead-paint inspection or risk-assessment records.
  • Understand your rights regarding a lead-paint inspection or risk assessment.
  • Discuss concerns with the appropriate licensed professionals.

If a child under age six will reside in the property, Massachusetts Lead Law requirements can become especially important.

Step 10: Review Septic and Title 5 Information

If the property has a private septic system:

  • Determine whether a Title 5 inspection is required.
  • Obtain and review the Title 5 inspection report when applicable.
  • Confirm whether the system passed, conditionally passed, or failed.
  • Ask questions about the system’s age, design, maintenance, and capacity.
  • Determine who would be responsible for any required repairs or replacement under your transaction.
  • Consult your attorney and other qualified professionals if there are concerns.

Don’t assume a septic system is acceptable just because it is currently functioning.

Step 11: Complete Your Formal Mortgage Application

After your offer is accepted:

  • Notify your lender immediately.
  • Submit your complete mortgage application.
  • Provide requested income, employment, bank, tax, and asset documentation promptly.
  • Respond quickly to lender requests.
  • Do not make large financial changes without first speaking with your lender.
  • Do not open new credit accounts.
  • Do not finance furniture, appliances, or vehicles before closing.
  • Do not change jobs without discussing the potential mortgage implications with your lender.

Step 12: Hire a Massachusetts Real Estate Attorney

  • Select an attorney experienced in Massachusetts residential real estate.
  • Have your attorney review the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
  • Ask questions about any legal language you do not understand.
  • Review title, deed, mortgage, condominium, easement, restriction, or other legal issues with your attorney.
  • Confirm important contractual deadlines.

Massachusetts real estate transactions commonly involve attorneys during the Purchase and Sale, title, financing, and closing process.

Step 13: Sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement

The Purchase and Sale Agreement, often called the P&S, contains the detailed terms of the transaction.

Before signing:

  • Review the agreement with your attorney.
  • Confirm the purchase price.
  • Confirm deposits.
  • Review financing provisions.
  • Review inspection provisions.
  • Verify the closing date.
  • Review included and excluded items.
  • Verify important deadlines.
  • Understand what happens if either party cannot perform under the agreement.

Step 14: Complete the Mortgage and Appraisal Process

  • Continue providing the documentation your lender requests.
  • The lender will generally order an appraisal.
  • Understand that an appraisal and a home inspection serve different purposes.
  • Review any appraisal issues with your lender, agent, and attorney.
  • Satisfy remaining underwriting requirements.
  • Work toward receiving final mortgage approval or clear-to-close status.

Step 15: Obtain Homeowners Insurance

  • Request homeowners-insurance quotes.
  • Compare coverage, deductibles, exclusions, and premiums.
  • Inform your insurance company of your expected closing date.
  • Provide proof of insurance to your lender as required.
  • Consider additional coverage that may be appropriate for the property.

Step 16: Review the Title

Your closing attorney will typically conduct a title examination.

  • Confirm that title issues are being addressed before closing.
  • Review questions about easements, liens, restrictions, rights of way, or other title matters with your attorney.
  • Discuss owner’s title insurance with your attorney.
  • Review condominium documentation when purchasing a condominium.

Step 17: Prepare for Closing

As closing approaches:

  • Confirm final mortgage approval.
  • Review the amount of money needed for closing.
  • Follow your attorney’s instructions for transferring closing funds.
  • Independently verify wiring instructions before sending money.
  • Review your Closing Disclosure and final financial figures.
  • Ask questions about any unexpected charges.
  • Schedule utilities to be transferred into your name.
  • Confirm homeowners insurance is effective when required.
  • Gather your government-issued identification and other required documents.

Important: Real estate wire fraud is a serious risk. Never send closing funds based solely on unexpected emailed wiring instructions. Verify instructions using a trusted telephone number you already have for your attorney or closing professional.

Step 18: Complete Your Final Walk-Through

Usually shortly before closing:

  • Confirm the property is in the expected condition.
  • Confirm agreed-upon repairs are completed, when applicable.
  • Check that included appliances and fixtures remain.
  • Make sure the property has not sustained unexpected damage.
  • Test major items as appropriate.
  • Confirm the seller has removed required personal belongings.
  • Notify your agent and attorney immediately if something is wrong.

The final walk-through is not another home inspection. Its purpose is generally to verify that the property’s condition matches the parties’ agreement.

Step 19: Closing Day

  • Bring acceptable identification.
  • Review your closing documents carefully.
  • Ask questions before signing anything you do not understand.
  • Sign mortgage and closing documents when applicable.
  • Confirm funds have been properly transferred.
  • Confirm the deed and transaction are being completed according to your attorney’s instructions.
  • Receive your keys as directed after the transaction has closed.

Step 20: Welcome Home!

Once your purchase is complete:

  • Change exterior-door locks or rekey them.
  • Change garage and security codes.
  • Locate the main water shutoff.
  • Locate the electrical panel.
  • Replace smoke/CO detector batteries if appropriate.
  • Update your mailing address.
  • Establish a home-maintenance schedule.
  • Keep your closing documents, inspection report, warranties, and property records in a safe location.
  • Begin building an emergency home-repair fund.

One Final Piece of Advice

You do not need to understand every part of the Massachusetts home-buying process before you begin.

You need the right professionals around you and the willingness to ask questions.

A good buyer’s representative should help you understand what is happening, what comes next, what decisions need to be made, and when you should seek advice from your lender, attorney, inspector, insurance professional, or another qualified expert.

The goal isn’t simply to buy a house. The goal is to make an informed decision about the home you are buying.