Independent knowledge for every U.S. market
Updated for 2026Español ES
ACTION PLAN

Checklists so an important step does not get missed.

25 practical lists that turn a complex decision into verifiable actions. Adapt them to your contract, state and specific property.

Home inspector checking an electrical panel
Concrete checks turn a list into a documented decision.
PRACTICAL LIST

Before you tour

  • Set a total monthly payment limit, including taxes, insurance, dues and utilities.
  • Get a written preapproval or clarify your cash proof.
  • List non-negotiables separately from preferences.
  • Map commute, services and visits at different times.
  • Prepare questions about age, systems, permits, HOA and seller disclosures.
PRACTICAL LIST

Before you offer

  • Compare recent closed sales, not only active asking prices.
  • Read disclosures and request missing documents in writing.
  • Price inspections, specialists and property-specific insurance.
  • Understand every contingency, deadline and deposit instruction.
  • Confirm representation, compensation and communications with your agent.
PRACTICAL LIST

Before closing

  • Review the Closing Disclosure against the Loan Estimate.
  • Confirm title, insurance, transfer and utility arrangements.
  • Perform the final walk-through and document unresolved items.
  • Verify wire instructions using an independently known phone number.
  • Keep a post-closing reserve and copies of every signed document.
PRACTICAL LIST

First 30 days as owner

  • Change locks or access codes and test smoke/CO alarms.
  • Locate shutoffs, panels, warranties and maintenance records.
  • Set reminders for tax, insurance, HOA and loan notices.
  • Create a maintenance fund and a seasonal task list.
  • Keep photos, receipts and all property records together.
PRACTICAL LIST

Reviewing seller disclosures

  • Match every disclosure to the property, date and person completing it.
  • List unanswered questions, changed answers and missing attachments.
  • Compare disclosed repairs with permits, invoices and warranties.
  • Give water, foundation, roof, insurance and environmental issues specialist follow-up.
  • Keep the signed version and document all later updates.
PRACTICAL LIST

Comparing insurance quotes

  • Use the same dwelling, contents, liability and loss-of-use limits.
  • Compare deductibles by peril, especially wind, hail, hurricane and earthquake.
  • Check replacement-cost method, roof settlement and ordinance-or-law coverage.
  • Ask what flood, sewer backup, wildfire or vacancy protection is excluded.
  • Confirm the quote after the insurer reviews the exact address and property details.
PRACTICAL LIST

Buying a condo or HOA property

  • Read the declaration, bylaws, rules and current fee schedule.
  • Compare the budget, reserve balance and latest reserve study.
  • Review recent meeting minutes, insurance, litigation and delinquency information.
  • Identify approved or discussed special assessments and major projects.
  • Confirm rental, pet, parking, renovation and approval restrictions before offering.
PRACTICAL LIST

Buying with a private well and septic system

  • Identify system locations, ownership, permits and service records.
  • Order water-quality and flow testing appropriate to local conditions.
  • Have the septic tank, distribution and absorption area evaluated by a qualified professional.
  • Confirm setbacks, replacement area and expansion limits with the local authority.
  • Budget for treatment, pumping, repair and eventual replacement—not only routine service.
PRACTICAL LIST

Confirming insurance before closing

  • Give each insurer the same exact address and intended property use.
  • Compare building, contents, deductibles, exclusions and separate hazard policies.
  • Reconcile available claims history with disclosures and repair evidence.
  • Ask about underwriting conditions, required repairs and quote expiration.
  • Confirm policy issuance, premium payment and coverage effective date.
  • Verify any flood-policy waiting-period exception with the provider.
PRACTICAL LIST

Reconciling a property research file

  • Confirm parcel, legal description, county and municipality.
  • Write one specific question for each document request.
  • Save original record, source, record date and retrieval date.
  • List access limits and facts the document cannot establish.
  • Assign unresolved contradictions to the relevant professional.
  • Record contractual deadlines and retain closing and handover evidence.
PRACTICAL LIST

Reviewing an escrow increase

  • Separate principal and interest, regular escrow, shortage recovery and fees.
  • Match the tax parcel, bill, exemption and payment date to official records.
  • Match the insurance policy, renewal premium and coverage to the quote.
  • Check for duplicate disbursements and unexplained projections.
  • Ask the servicer for written calculations and applicable repayment options.
  • Retain the analysis and adjust the household budget.
PRACTICAL LIST

Evaluating homebuyer assistance

  • Verify the administering agency and current application channel.
  • Confirm eligibility, available funds and approved lenders.
  • Identify grant, repayable, deferred or forgivable loan terms.
  • Read occupancy, sale, refinancing and rental triggers.
  • Compare first and second mortgage costs with an unassisted offer.
  • Get funding reservation, expiry and closing requirements in writing.
PRACTICAL LIST

Accessibility and housing requests

  • Check the route from transport or parking to entry and needed rooms.
  • Measure relevant doors, thresholds, bathroom and equipment access.
  • Identify who controls common areas and approves physical changes.
  • Separate rule accommodations from physical modifications.
  • Keep dated requests, responses and relevant official guidance.
  • Use the official HUD reporting channel promptly for discrimination concerns.
PRACTICAL LIST

Comparing Loan Estimates

  • Request estimates for the same property, loan amount, term and rate-lock status.
  • Compare interest rate, APR, points, lender fees and mortgage insurance separately.
  • Mark taxes, insurance and other estimates that lenders cannot control.
  • Compare monthly payment and cash to close under the same assumptions.
  • Ask each lender to explain changes, credits and rate-lock expiration in writing.
  • Recheck the preferred offer against the Closing Disclosure before signing.
PRACTICAL LIST

Triage an inspection report

  • Read scope, exclusions and inaccessible areas before interpreting findings.
  • Separate immediate safety, water and structural concerns from maintenance.
  • Request specialist evaluations for material systems beyond the general inspection.
  • Obtain written repair estimates and check permit or warranty history.
  • Record the contract deadline for requests, renegotiation or withdrawal.
  • Keep the full report and written resolution with closing documents.
PRACTICAL LIST

Flood and climate due diligence

  • Search the exact address or parcel on current FEMA maps and local hazard portals.
  • Ask about past water intrusion, drainage work, claims and elevation records.
  • Compare flood, wind, wildfire and earthquake coverage as separate questions.
  • Get address-specific insurance quotes and deductibles before contingencies expire.
  • Walk the site after rain when possible and check grading and nearby waterways.
  • Budget mitigation and ongoing premiums without assuming a map proves zero risk.
PRACTICAL LIST

Verify title and property rights

  • Match parcel identifier, legal description and seller name across records.
  • Read the preliminary title commitment and every listed exception.
  • Identify easements, liens, access rights and boundary questions.
  • Ask how each existing lien will be paid and released at closing.
  • Compare survey or plat with fences, driveways and intended improvements.
  • Keep the recorded deed and final title policy after closing.
PRACTICAL LIST

New construction handover

  • Match the contract, plans, finishes and change orders to the delivered home.
  • Request permits, final inspections and occupancy documentation.
  • Test doors, windows, plumbing, electrical outlets, heating and cooling.
  • Document incomplete or damaged items with dated photos and a written punch list.
  • Read builder warranty scope, exclusions, claim method and deadlines.
  • Confirm landscaping, drainage, appliance manuals and utility activation.
PRACTICAL LIST

Read a rental lease

  • Identify every occupant, property address, term and renewal method.
  • Add rent, utilities, parking, pet fees, deposits and late charges.
  • Read maintenance, entry, alteration and subletting clauses.
  • Check notice requirements and consequences of early termination.
  • Compare move-in condition and deposit return terms with local law.
  • Retain the signed lease, inventory, payment receipts and notices.
PRACTICAL LIST

International purchase file

  • Confirm identity documents, source-of-funds records and bank transfer route.
  • Compare cash and financing options using complete closing costs.
  • Discuss title, ownership structure and tax reporting with qualified advisers.
  • Verify remote-signing, notary and representation requirements in the state.
  • Arrange address-specific insurance and management if the home will be vacant.
  • Keep immigration advice separate from the property transaction.
PRACTICAL LIST

Underwrite a rental property

  • Verify actual rent roll, leases, deposits and payment history.
  • Model vacancy, taxes after purchase, insurance, utilities and management.
  • Reserve for maintenance, replacements and capital projects.
  • Inspect major systems and review permits, zoning and rental licenses.
  • Stress-test lower rent, longer vacancy and higher financing costs.
  • Compare projected cash flow with available cash and exit options.
PRACTICAL LIST

Buy a manufactured home

  • Confirm whether land is owned or leased and how the home is titled.
  • Match serial number, HUD labels and data plate with sale documents.
  • Review installation approvals, foundation and utility connections.
  • Read lot rent, increases, community rules and resale restrictions.
  • Compare home and land financing, insurance and total monthly site costs.
  • Verify liens, transfer permissions and any relocation obligations.
PRACTICAL LIST

Buy a home with solar

  • Identify whether panels are owned, financed, leased or under a power agreement.
  • Obtain original contract, transfer approval, payoff and lien information.
  • Compare production records with utility bills and current tariff rules.
  • Inspect roof, attachments, wiring, inverter and warranty transfer.
  • Ask insurer and lender how the arrangement affects coverage and financing.
  • Document who pays for roof removal, reinstallation and future service.
PRACTICAL LIST

Check a school boundary

  • Use the district’s current address lookup, not a listing badge.
  • Confirm the grade level, program, capacity and any choice or lottery process.
  • Ask the district about proposed rezoning and enrollment deadlines.
  • Test actual travel time and transport eligibility.
  • Date and save written district confirmation for the precise address.
  • Recheck shortly before committing because boundaries can change.
PRACTICAL LIST

Protect closing funds

  • Obtain the settlement contact through an independently verified channel.
  • Treat emailed changes to bank instructions as suspicious until confirmed.
  • Call the known number before sending any wire; verify recipient and account.
  • Ask your bank about cutoff times and confirmation procedures.
  • Retain transfer proof and confirm receipt with the settlement agent.
  • If a transfer seems wrong, contact the bank immediately to request recall.
Important

These lists are educational. Required documents, deadlines and rights are determined by the contract and local rules.

BUILD YOUR RESEARCH FILE

Connect each answer to its supporting record.

Verify parcel, jurisdiction, date and scope. The evidence matrix explains what to request and what each record cannot establish; the blank worksheet tracks contacts, deadlines and unresolved questions.

Open evidence matrix and worksheet →
Independent educational informationRules, costs and market conditions change. Verify all material information with current official sources and qualified professionals in the relevant jurisdiction.