The free home buyer's checklist
Twenty checkpoints that decide whether you're buying a sound home or an expensive surprise. Enter your email and download the PDF instantly.
Twenty checkpoints that decide whether you're buying a sound home or an expensive surprise. Work through them in order.
Before you start searching
- Maximum mortgage confirmed with an independent adviser
- Deposit and own funds visible on your account (at least 1% of the price)
- Realistic total budget incl. buyer costs (expect 2.5–5% on top of the price)
- Target neighbourhoods with price levels and average time-on-market
- Monthly energy costs understood: label C to A can save a lot each month
During the viewing
- Damp patches, cracks in walls and condition of window frames checked
- Crawl space and roof: any musty smell, is it insulated?
- Energy label requested (mandatory on sale) and boiler age noted
- Ground lease: freehold, continuous or perpetual — and the annual canon
- For an apartment: owners' association (VvE) documents, maintenance plan and reserve fund requested
- Area visited at different times; nuisance and parking pressure tested
When making an offer
- Asking price checked against recent sold prices on the street
- Offer scenarios and your own financial boundary written down in advance
- Financing contingency with a clear date included
- Building inspection contingency with a maximum amount included
- Decided what you will NOT do: never let yourself be pressured
After the purchase agreement
- Purchase agreement legally checked within three days
- Three-day cooling-off period used — even in a hot market
- Valuation and building survey booked within the contingency window
- Bank guarantee or deposit arranged on time
- Final inspection on the day of transfer: empty, intact, does everything work?
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01 · Before you start searching
- Maximum mortgage confirmed with an independent adviser
- Deposit and own funds visible on your account (at least 1% of the price)
- Realistic total budget incl. buyer costs (expect 2.5–5% on top of the price)
- Target neighbourhoods with price levels and average time-on-market
- Monthly energy costs understood: label C to A can save a lot each month
02 · During the viewing
- Damp patches, cracks in walls and condition of window frames checked
- Crawl space and roof: any musty smell, is it insulated?
- Energy label requested (mandatory on sale) and boiler age noted
- Ground lease: freehold, continuous or perpetual — and the annual canon
- For an apartment: owners' association (VvE) documents, maintenance plan and reserve fund requested
- Area visited at different times; nuisance and parking pressure tested
03 · When making an offer
- Asking price checked against recent sold prices on the street
- Offer scenarios and your own financial boundary written down in advance
- Financing contingency with a clear date included
- Building inspection contingency with a maximum amount included
- Decided what you will NOT do: never let yourself be pressured
04 · After the purchase agreement
- Purchase agreement legally checked within three days
- Three-day cooling-off period used — even in a hot market
- Valuation and building survey booked within the contingency window
- Bank guarantee or deposit arranged on time
- Final inspection on the day of transfer: empty, intact, does everything work?
Rather analyse a property right now? See Home Compass for buyers.
The checklist stops you forgetting. Home Compass stops you guessing.
Ticking what checks out is step one. Step two is knowing what the home is worth, which risks apply and your maximum bid.
Frequently asked questions
Is the checklist really free?
Yes. Enter your email and the PDF downloads right away. No credit card, no subscription.
What's inside?
Twenty checkpoints across four phases: before you search, during the viewing, when you make an offer, and after the purchase agreement.
How do I get the PDF?
It downloads immediately after sign-up, and you can download it again on the thank-you screen.
Is this professional advice?
No. It's a practical guide. For legal, tax and building questions always engage a qualified adviser, notary or surveyor.