{"id":96379,"date":"2025-06-03T13:28:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T20:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=96379"},"modified":"2025-06-09T09:14:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T16:14:07","slug":"how-to-buy-a-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thinking about buying a house in 2025? From dreaming about your future home and what neighborhood you want to call home to touring properties and finally moving in, there\u2019s a lot of excitement about beginning the homebuying process. However, between mortgage rates, your credit score, inspections, and closing costs, there\u2019s a lot to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this Redfin article, we\u2019re here to guide you through the process step-by-step. Whether you\u2019re looking to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16163\/WA\/Seattle\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buy a home in Seattle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5155\/CO\/Denver\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">condo in Denver<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here\u2019s how to buy a house in 12 steps.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-6-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12 steps to buying a house<\/strong><br \/>1.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#determine-if-you-re-ready-to-buy-a-house\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determine if you\u2019re ready to buy a house<\/span><\/a><br \/>2.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#see-how-much-you-can-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> See how much you can afford<\/a><br \/>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#get-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Get pre-approved for a mortgage<\/a><br \/>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#decide-what-type-of-mortgage-is-best-for-you\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Decide what type of mortgage is best for you<\/a><br \/>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#find-a-real-estate-agent\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Find a real estate agent<\/a><br \/>6. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#search-homes-for-sale-and-take-home-tours\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Search homes for sale and tour properties<\/a><br \/>7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#make-an-offer-on-the-home\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Make an offer on the home<\/a><br \/>8. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#secure-your-mortgage\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Secure your mortgage<\/a><br \/>9. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#schedule-a-home-inspection\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Schedule a home inspection<\/a><br \/>10. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#have-a-home-appraisal\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Have a home appraisal<\/a><br \/>11. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#negotiate-if-needed\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Negotiate if needed<\/a><br \/>12. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#close-on-the-home\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Close on your home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88059\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior of house\" width=\"1200\" height=\"903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-199x150.jpg 199w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-837x630.jpg 837w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house-399x300.jpg 399w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"determine-if-you-re-ready-to-buy-a-house\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Determine if you\u2019re ready to buy a house<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step before beginning the homebuying process is to decide if you\u2019re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/am-i-ready-to-buy-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ready for homeownership<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Before you start touring properties, ask yourself:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Do I have enough savings?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll need cash for a down payment, closing costs, and an emergency fund for surprise repairs.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Is my income stable?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consistent earnings and job security help you qualify for a loan and manage monthly payments.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Is my credit and debt in a good place?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A credit score of 620 or higher and a low debt-to-income ratio improve your mortgage options.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Am I ready to stay put for a few years?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Homeownership makes more sense if you plan to stay in one place for 3\u20135 years or longer.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Can I handle the responsibility?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Owning a home means handling maintenance, repairs, and property taxes on your own.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Does buying make more sense than renting right now?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consider your local market and personal goals to decide if <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">now is a good time to buy a house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, buying doesn\u2019t always beat renting.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"10 Steps to Buying a House for the First Time | Redfin #realestate\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CfLQ-4eZZF0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"see-how-much-you-can-afford\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. See how much you can afford<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next step in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/timeline-guide-to-buying-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying process<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is to determine your budget. The fastest way to get a sense of how much you can afford is with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home affordability calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also find out how much you can afford with an online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/mortgage-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mortgage calculator will estimate your mortgage payment, including the principal and interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and PMI.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Good to know: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need to account for other upfront costs like down payment (3%-20%), closing costs (2%-5%), and other ongoing costs property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance. You\u2019ll also want to have a cushion for unexpected expenses and maintain an emergency fund.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning to buy a home with a mortgage, you\u2019ll want to get a<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/mortgage-pre-approval\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage pre-approval<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting pre-approved initiates the mortgage process with a lender and tells you how much you can borrow. It also allows you to move faster when you\u2019re ready to make an offer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Good to know: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to get quotes from multiple lenders, rather than choosing the first mortgage lender you come across or even your current bank. Different lenders offer different mortgage options and rates, so research is key to finding the best rate for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86931\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion.jpg\" alt=\"People discussing how to move their house\" width=\"1200\" height=\"798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-947x630.jpg 947w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Moving-a-house-discussion-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"decide-what-type-of-mortgage-is-best-for-you\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Decide what type of mortgage is best for you<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many factors to help determine the right mortgage loan for you and which ones you qualify for. Let\u2019s take a look at the five of the most common <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/types-of-mortgage-loans\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">types of mortgage loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Conventional loan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Not government-backed. Requires good credit and a stable income.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>FHA loan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Backed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Allows lower credit scores and smaller down payments.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>VA loan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For eligible veterans and service members. No down payment required.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>USDA loan: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For eligible rural properties. Also offers no-down payment options.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Jumbo loan: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For homes that exceed conforming loan limits. Requires stronger credit and income. Learn more about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-jumbo-loan\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jumbo loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"find-a-real-estate-agent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Find a real estate agent<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the right real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be the key to finding the right home and getting the best deal. It\u2019s always important to research and ask a variety of questions to find the best fit for your homebuying journey. Choose someone who:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knows your target area<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understands your budget and goals<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has strong reviews and recent experience<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Good to know: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before touring homes with an agent, you\u2019ll most likely need to sign an agreement with your agent. This agreement will outline the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-commission-changes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agent\u2019s commission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so you understand how much they\u2019re paid. Depending on the agreement, you may be required to pay these fees, or you can negotiate that the seller pays instead.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-86084\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186.jpg\" alt=\"Man and a woman holding building plans and discussing remodel\" class=\"wp-image-86084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-519080186-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FangXiaNuo via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"search-homes-for-sale-and-take-home-tours\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Search homes for sale and take home tours<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next step when buying a house is to start browsing homes for sale in your area. It\u2019s important to use your wish list to inform your home search. That way, you can narrow down your search to the price range, home style, location and neighborhood, and other amenities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then you&#8217;ll want to start attending open houses and home tours. Here\u2019s what to look for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home style<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layout you want<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Features you like or dislike<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roof, window, and HVAC conditions<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appliances and plumbing<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red flags, like smells, unkept rooms, or mold<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re touring multiple homes, it\u2019s easy to confuse the different features or concerns you have about one house with another you\u2019ve seen, so take notes as you\u2019re touring.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Good to know:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ask your agent for their input. They may have additional insight about the home or spotted an issue you didn\u2019t initially catch.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-an-offer-on-the-home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Make an offer on the home<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve found the house you\u2019re looking for, it\u2019s time to work with your real estate agent to make an offer. Discuss your offer strategy with your agent. Is the home priced fairly? What will make your offer stand out?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your real estate agent will know what\u2019s best for the housing market conditions. They\u2019ll consider your budget and the asking price for comparable homes in your area to help you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-make-an-offer-on-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make an offer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that will stand out to home sellers.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your offer will include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purchase price<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contingencies (e.g., inspection, appraisal)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing timeline<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earnest money deposit (typically 1%\u20133%)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadline for sellers to respond<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-85836\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE.jpg\" alt=\"how to buy a home two stroy in washington\" width=\"1200\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-269x150.jpg 269w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-1128x630.jpg 1128w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Black-Diamond-WA-31060-222nd-Way-SE-537x300.jpg 537w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"secure-your-mortgage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Secure your mortgage<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mortgage pre-approval isn\u2019t the same thing as officially getting a mortgage. Once you have the purchase agreement for the home, the next step is to apply for a mortgage:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can work with the lender who pre-approved your loan or choose a different lender.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the same lender who pre-approved your mortgage can help speed up the process.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After choosing your mortgage lender, you\u2019ll need to submit information about yourself. You\u2019ll receive a list of the forms your lender needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As soon as the mortgage application is finished, it will go into the underwriting process.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An underwriter will thoroughly review your finances to determine whether you are a good candidate for the loan.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be requested to provide additional information about your finances.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The underwriter will do a title search on the property to ensure the current owners actually own the property.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ll also check the home appraisal (step 10) to make sure the home\u2019s value aligns with your purchase price.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/mortgage-underwriting-process\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage underwriting process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can take anywhere from 2 to 45 days, depending on your circumstances and the local market.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schedule-a-home-inspection\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Schedule a home inspection<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important steps to buying a house is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-inspection\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A professional home inspector will conduct an inspection of the home, identifying any existing structural, electrical, or plumbing issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the inspection is completed, you\u2019ll receive a report detailing the results:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go through the report thoroughly<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for major problems like mold, termites, or lead paint<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult with your agent for advice on any red flags they noticed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the inspection report indicates any major issues with the home, you can try to negotiate repairs or a lower price with the seller. Remember that once the sale closes, any major repairs are up to you to fix. So if the inspection report shows issues with the foundation or leaks in the roof, it\u2019s best to address them with the seller now.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"have-a-home-appraisal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Have a home appraisal<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-appraisal\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home appraisal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the official opinion of the home\u2019s value by a licensed appraiser. If you have a mortgage, a home appraisal is usually required to approve the loan. Lenders want to ensure that they aren\u2019t lending you more money than the home is actually worth. Even if you\u2019re planning to buy a home in cash, an appraisal can indicate if you\u2019re overpaying for the home\u2019s value.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the appraisal process, the appraiser will report on the home\u2019s size, amenities, floor plan, additional features, and comparable homes in the area. If the home\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-an-appraisal-gap\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">appraised value is lower<\/a> than your current offer, you can consider negotiating the price down or increasing your down payment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86969\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo.jpg\" alt=\"Landlord giving the tenants the keys\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Renting-out-a-condo-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"negotiate-if-needed\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11. Negotiate if needed<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the details of the home inspection and home appraisal reports, you may need to negotiate with the seller. For example, you may ask the seller to complete necessary repairs before closing, negotiate the price down, or ask for a credit. On the other hand, you may also receive a counteroffer from the seller that you want to negotiate.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your agent will help you through the negotiation process. They\u2019ll advise you on the best option: waiving contingencies, raising your earnest money or overall price, or changing the closing date. Expect that you may go back and forth with the seller before reaching an agreement on the offer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Good to know: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it\u2019s a buyer&#8217;s market, with more homes for sale than buyers, you may have more options for negotiating the price back down. If it\u2019s a seller&#8217;s market, with more buyers than homes for sale, it may be more difficult to negotiate with the seller since there are likely other buyers waiting to make an offer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-close-on-the-home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12. Close on the home<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"close-on-the-home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve reached the final steps to buying a house, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/home-selling-guide\/how-closing-works\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Your lender will provide you with the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/definition\/closing-disclosure\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing disclosure documents<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at least three days before your closing date. This document details how much you\u2019ll need to pay at closing, monthly mortgage payments, and the loan terms. Make sure to review this document carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You and your real estate agent will likely conduct a final walkthrough on the home to ensure everything is in place and there\u2019s no new damage to the property.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On your closing date, you\u2019ll need to bring your ID, proof of funds for your closing costs, and the closing disclosure. Once the money is exchanged, the title will now be in your name. A title company or real estate attorney will close the transaction, and you will typically get the keys after 5 p.m. on your close date. Congratulations, you\u2019re officially a homeowner.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-sell-your-house-fast-1\" class=\"wp-image-99259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO-768x394.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO-292x150.jpg 292w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1732-E-Woodstone-Dr_Hayden-ID_HPTO-584x300.jpg 584w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs-about-how-to-buy-a-home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs about how to buy a home<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-much-should-you-save-for-a-down-payment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much should you save for a down payment?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The traditional advice is to save for a 20% down payment as it can help you secure a better mortgage rate and avoid <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-pmi-insurance\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance (PMI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, a 20% down payment isn\u2019t a requirement. Many homebuyers put down less, with down payments ranging from 3% to 10%.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-much-should-you-save-for-closing-costs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much should you save for closing costs?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-are-closing-costs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing costs<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are about 2 &#8211; 5% of the purchase price. Closing costs typically include appraisal costs, home inspection fees, title insurance, and more. As your closing date approaches, your lender will give you a closing disclosure, which details the breakdown of these fees.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-first-time-homebuyer-programs-nbsp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are first-time homebuyer programs?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/first-time-home-buyer-programs\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First-time homebuyer programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help cover the costs of down payment and closing costs. There are three main types of programs &#8211; loans, grants, and credits.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happens-after-submitting-an-offer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens after submitting an offer?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three main scenarios that can happen after submitting your offer on a home.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Your offer is accepted: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the seller accepts your offer, then you\u2019ll move on to the next step.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Your offer is rejected:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the seller rejects your offer, you\u2019ll need to begin looking for other homes for sale.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>You receive a counteroffer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The seller has sent a counteroffer, which can be several things. They may change the purchase price, ask to dismiss a contingency, or other terms of the sale. It\u2019s up to you and your agent if you want to negotiate, accept the offer, or reject the offer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-an-earnest-money-deposit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s an earnest money deposit?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-earnest-money\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">earnest money deposit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually 1 &#8211; 3% of the purchase price but can vary by market. It\u2019s often submitted in your offer letter to show the seller that you\u2019re serious about buying their home. If your offer is accepted, this money typically goes toward the down payment or closing costs. If you back out of the purchase later, you may lose the earnest money deposit.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-do-you-need-to-get-home-insurance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When do you need to get home insurance?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many lenders require you to have home insurance before approving the loan. Depending on your location, you may also be required to purchase additional insurance policies like fire or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/what-does-flood-insurance-cover\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flood insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-home-inspection-contingency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a home inspection contingency?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/top-home-buying-contingencies\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection contingency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is submitted in your offer. It typically allows you to negotiate repairs or back out of your offer without losing your earnest money deposit, if the home inspection identifies major issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-home-appraisal-contingency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a home appraisal contingency?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An appraisal contingency is also submitted in your offer. It typically allows you to negotiate a lower price or withdraw your offer, without losing the earnest money deposit, if the home\u2019s appraised value is lower than your offer. Each appraisal contingency will vary slightly, so speak with your agent to understand the details.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":88059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276,10756],"tags":[34529,34629,34617],"coauthors":[33440],"class_list":["post-96379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","category-featured-post","tag-buying-faq","tag-first-time-homebuyer","tag-home-buying-process"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Buy a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"903\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alison Bentley\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574\"},\"headline\":\"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2367,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"buying faq\",\"first time homebuyer\",\"home buying process\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\",\"Featured Post\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Buy a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide | Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/New-Jersey-house.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":903,\"caption\":\"Exterior of house\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/how-to-buy-a-home\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\",\"description\":\"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Redfin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Redfin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/redfinrealestate\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/redfin\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Redfin\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574\",\"name\":\"Alison Bentley\",\"description\":\"Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Marketing Program Manager. In her 5 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability, and specializes in first-time homebuyer and seller resources. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers\u2019 markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef\u2019s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/author\\\/alison-bentley\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Buy a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide | Redfin","description":"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide","og_description":"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/","og_site_name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","article_published_time":"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":903,"url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Alison Bentley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@redfin","twitter_site":"@redfin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Alison Bentley","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/"},"author":{"name":"Alison Bentley","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574"},"headline":"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide","datePublished":"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/"},"wordCount":2367,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg","keywords":["buying faq","first time homebuyer","home buying process"],"articleSection":["Buying a Home","Featured Post"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/","name":"How to Buy a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide | Redfin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-03T20:28:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-09T16:14:07+00:00","description":"Learn how to buy a house in 12 steps. This ultimate guide can help you understand the home buying process, so you can buy your first home.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-Jersey-house.jpg","width":1200,"height":903,"caption":"Exterior of house"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Buy a House in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","description":"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Redfin","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Redfin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","https:\/\/x.com\/redfin","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/redfinrealestate\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redfin","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/redfin\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redfin"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574","name":"Alison Bentley","description":"Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Marketing Program Manager. In her 5 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability, and specializes in first-time homebuyer and seller resources. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers\u2019 markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef\u2019s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/author\/alison-bentley\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/537"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96379"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101666,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96379\/revisions\/101666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96379"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=96379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}