Steps to Buying a House in Massachusetts
Follow these 17 steps to buy a house in Massachusetts, from getting pre-approved and touring properties through making an offer, completing your inspection, and closing on your home.
Preparation
Build your team before you start house hunting.
Getting Pre-Approved
Get pre-approved for a mortgage before house hunting in MA. Documents to gather, how to compare lenders, and why pre-approval is critical before any offer.
Finding a Real Estate Agent
How to find a real estate agent to buy a home in Massachusetts, including questions for first-time buyer agents, representation agreements, and negotiable compensation.
Finding a Home Inspector
Find a qualified home inspector in Massachusetts. What to look for, why to hire one before making an offer, and what MA law requires of licensed inspectors.
Finding a Real Estate Attorney
Find a closing attorney in Massachusetts — required at every home sale. What they do, when to hire one, and how to choose the right MA real estate lawyer.
House Hunting
How to tour homes and move quickly in a competitive market.
Offer to Closing
From signing an offer to getting your keys.
Making an Offer
How to make an offer in Massachusetts. The standard contract, key clauses, contingencies, and why the Offer to Purchase is legally binding once signed.
Offer Accepted
Next steps after your offer is accepted in Massachusetts: key deadlines, tasks to handle in parallel, and what must happen before the Purchase & Sale Agreement.
Earnest Money Deposit
The earnest money deposit in Massachusetts: how much, who holds it in IOLTA escrow, what happens if the deal falls through, and how to avoid wire fraud.
Home Inspection
What to expect from a real estate or property inspection in Massachusetts: what home inspectors check, red flags, costs, and how to use the report.
Purchase & Sale Agreement
The Purchase & Sale Agreement in Massachusetts: what it contains, what your attorney negotiates, the mortgage contingency deadline, and key buyer protections.
P&S Deposit
The P&S deposit in Massachusetts is typically 5% of the purchase price. Who holds it in escrow, the legal implications, and how to wire it safely.
Mortgage Application
Complete your mortgage application after signing the P&S in Massachusetts. Key deadlines, required documents, and what to avoid while your loan is in underwriting.
Mortgage Appraisal
The mortgage appraisal in Massachusetts: what appraisers evaluate, your options if it comes in below the purchase price, and how the contingency protects you.
Clear to Close
'Clear to close' in Massachusetts: what it means, what triggers final mortgage approval, what to avoid in the final days, and how long until you close.
Closing Disclosure
The Closing Disclosure in Massachusetts: when you get it, what it contains, how to compare it to your Loan Estimate, and what to do if numbers changed.
Final Steps Before Closing
The final walkthrough in Massachusetts: what to check, what to do if something is wrong, utilities, moving logistics, and how to prepare for closing day.
Closing Day
Closing day in Massachusetts: what to bring, which documents you'll sign, what the Homestead Declaration is, and how to protect yourself from wire fraud.