What are the steps to buy a home in Massachusetts with a real estate agent?
If you’re wondering how to buy a house in Massachusetts, the process starts with a lender pre-approval and continues through consultation, home touring, offer strategy, inspections, financing, and closing. When you understand each step clearly, you can move forward with confidence and avoid costly surprises.
Buying a home in MA can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer in Massachusetts. But when you break it down step by step, it becomes much more manageable.
Here’s exactly how it works.
Step 1: Speak With a Lender and Get Pre-Approved
The very first step to buy a home in MA is speaking with a lender.
Before you start browsing homes, you need to understand your purchasing power. A lender will:
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Review your credit (you can ask them whether it’s a soft or hard pull - soft shouldn't affect your credit score)
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Request employment and income documentation
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Evaluate your debt-to-income ratio
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Issue a pre-approval letter
That pre-approval letter states the maximum amount you qualify to borrow.
But here’s something many buyers overlook:
Your pre-approval amount is not the same as your comfort level.
If you’re pre-approved for $800,000 but the monthly payment feels too high, you can absolutely adjust your target price. Ask your lender to break down:
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Estimated monthly payment
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Taxes and insurance
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Total cash needed at closing
Your monthly payment is the number that truly matters.
Step 2: Meet for a Buyer Consultation
Once you’re pre-approved, this is where I step in.
As your REALTOR® in Central Massachusetts, I’ll sit down with you (in person or virtually) for a buyer consultation. During this meeting, we’ll:
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Review the full home buying process
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Discuss your wants vs. needs
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Go over timelines
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Review the buyer representation agreement
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Talk through how compensation works
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Answer every question you have
If you’re a first-time home buyer in Massachusetts, this step is especially important. You deserve clarity before we begin touring homes.
Step 3: Start the Home Search
After our consultation, I’ll set you up with:
ā MLS Search Alerts
Based on:
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Budget
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Towns in Central Massachusetts
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Bedrooms & bathrooms
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Property type
ā Customized Home Search Platform
We’ll use a collaborative platform where:
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You can favorite homes
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Message me directly
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Share feedback
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Customize features (natural light, finished basement, yard space, etc.)
This helps us narrow your search efficiently.
Step 4: Tour Homes
Now the fun part begins.
We’ll schedule private showings and attend open houses. Some buyers find the right home immediately. Others take time and that’s completely normal.
You might:
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See one home and fall in love.
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Tour 20 homes in a weekend.
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Search for months (or longer) before finding the right fit.
There’s no pressure. The goal is finding the right property for you.
Step 5: Write and Submit an Offer
When you’re ready to move forward, we draft an offer.
In Massachusetts, your offer includes:
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Offer price
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Down payment amount
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Earnest money deposit
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Contingencies
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Timeline
Earnest Money Explained
When your offer is accepted, you’ll typically submit an initial deposit (often around $1,000, but it can vary).
Two weeks later, when signing the Purchase & Sale Agreement (P&S), you’ll submit a second deposit; typically 3–5% of the purchase price.
Both deposits go toward your down payment.
Step 6: Home Inspection & Negotiation
Between accepted offer and signing the P&S, you’ll complete a home inspection.
This allows you to:
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Understand the condition of the property
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Request repairs or credits
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Renegotiate if needed
Every inspection is different. I’ll guide you through how to approach negotiations strategically.
Step 7: Final Loan Approval & Appraisal
Once the Purchase & Sale is signed, your lender moves into full underwriting.
You’ll need to provide:
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W-2s
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Bank statements
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Financial documentation
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Any updated information they request
Your lender will also order an appraisal.
If the appraisal comes in:
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At value or above: Great, we move forward.
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Below value: We may renegotiate price or adjust terms.
Once underwriting is complete, you receive your mortgage commitment and eventually your clear to close.
Step 8: Final Walkthrough & Closing Day
Before closing, we complete a final walkthrough to confirm:
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Appliances remain
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Property condition is consistent
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Agreed repairs are complete
Then you head to closing.
You’ll bring:
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Remaining down payment funds
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Closing costs (typically 3–5% of purchase price, including lender and attorney fees)
Once documents are signed, funds are transferred, and the home is on record with your new town, you get the keys!
Understanding Closing Costs in Massachusetts
When calculating how to buy a house in Massachusetts, remember to factor in:
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Attorney fees
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Lender fees
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Recording fees
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Transfer taxes
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Prepaid expenses
Your lender will provide a detailed closing disclosure before closing day so there are no surprises.
Final Thoughts
If you’re learning how to buy a house in Massachusetts, the biggest takeaway is this:
Preparation creates confidence.
When you:
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Understand your monthly budget
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Have a strong pre-approval
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Work with an experienced REALTOR®
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Know what to expect at every stage
The process becomes far less intimidating.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer in Massachusetts or moving within Central Massachusetts, having a clear roadmap makes all the difference.
Ready to Start Your Home Buying Journey?
If you’re thinking about buying in Central Massachusetts, I’d love to guide you through the process step by step.
Schedule your buyer consultation here:
š https://calendly.com/annieoakmanrealty/introcall
We’ll walk through your goals, your budget, and your timeline and build a strategy tailored specifically to you.
