What are the steps to buy a house from start to finish?

Short answer: Save, pre-approval, find house, offer, due diligence, unconditional, settle, move in. 2-6 months total.

What this actually means in plain English

Save deposit, get pre-approval, find a house, make an offer, do due diligence, go unconditional, settle, move in. Each step has substeps. The whole process takes 2-6 months typically. Do not skip due diligence. That is where you discover problems.

Key Facts

Step 1: Save deposit and extra costs
Step 2: Get mortgage pre-approval
Step 3: Find suitable property
Step 4: Make conditional offer
Step 5: Due diligence (building inspection, LIM, finance)
Step 6: Go unconditional
Step 7: Settlement day
Step 8: Move in

Example

Month1: Save, get pre-approval

Month2: View houses, make offer

Month3: Due diligence, go unconditional

Month4: Settlement and move in

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