Use this roadmap to organize a Massachusetts home purchase. The order can overlap, and your signed agreements set the deadlines. Build a calendar with your agent, lender and attorney rather than relying on a generic number of days.
Step 1: Set a comfortable budget
Start with a monthly payment you can sustain. Include principal and interest, property taxes, insurance, any mortgage insurance, association fees, utilities and maintenance. Separately reserve cash for your down payment, transaction costs, moving and unexpected repairs. Try the mortgage calculator for principal and interest only.
Step 2: Compare lenders and prepare documents
Ask lenders what their preapproval process verifies and what remains conditional. Organize income records, account statements and explanations of unusual deposits through the lender’s secure portal. A preapproval is not a final commitment to lend on a particular property.
Step 3: Understand representation
Ask who each agent represents and review services, compensation, duration and termination terms before signing an agreement. Applicable MLS rules require participating agents working with buyers to obtain a written agreement before a tour. An unrepresented visit to an open house is different; see the buyer-agent guide.
Step 4: Compare properties consistently
Use the same checklist at each showing: condition, layout, storage, parking, operating costs and the actual journey to places you visit. Request supporting records for renovations and association obligations. Compare recent relevant sales without assuming every town or price range behaves the same way.
Step 5: Review and submit an offer
Discuss price, deposits, financing, inspections, included items and proposed dates with your advisers. An accepted Massachusetts offer can create binding obligations; do not assume nothing matters until a later purchase and sale agreement. Have legal questions resolved before signing.
Step 6: Arrange inspections and review findings
For covered Massachusetts sales, inspection protections changed on October 15, 2025. Do not offer to waive inspection to gain acceptance. Review the required disclosure and reasonable inspection terms with your attorney. Book an inspector and identify any specialist assessments promptly.
Step 7: Finalize the purchase and sale agreement
Your attorney should explain the relationship between the accepted offer and the P&S, deposit handling, contingencies and notice requirements. Deposit amounts are negotiated, not universally five percent. Record who must receive a notice and how it must be delivered.
Step 8: Complete financing and title work
Respond to underwriting requests, discuss the appraisal and track your financing deadline independently of the closing date. Coordinate insurance and title questions. Ask your lender before taking on new debt or changing employment during the application.
Step 9: Review closing figures and inspect again
For most covered mortgages, you must receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Compare it with your Loan Estimate. Arrange the walkthrough under your agreement and document any unresolved condition or repair issue.
Step 10: Close and confirm possession
Follow the closing attorney’s instructions for identification, funds and signatures. Independently verify wire instructions using a trusted phone number. Confirm when recording, funding and possession will occur; signing alone does not necessarily mean keys are released.
Next: your accepted-offer checklist and closing-day preparation. This overview is general information; your professionals should apply it to your contract and property.
Sources and further reading
- Massachusetts real estate consumer fact sheet
- NAR: written buyer agreements
- Massachusetts home inspection rights
- CFPB: review your Closing Disclosure
Contact Brian McFarland at HFM Realty to discuss your next move.