Everyone's homebuying journey is different. Some might get wrapped up in a matter of weeks (like mine). Others might take longer due to factors like limited inventory, a long-distance house-hunt, or offers that fall through. I often think back to what one of my friends told me when I first began looking for a home: "The home you're supposed to be in is the home you'll be in."

Her own experience included a heartbreak or two over a house she really wanted. But then she found a property better suited to her needs, her offer was accepted, and she moved right in.

Our two paths to homebuying could not look more different—mine was abbreviated, hers quite extended—and yet in the end, all that mattered was having a place to call our own. Still, despite such divergent experiences, our general steps to home ownership marched along in largely the same way and boiled down to 10 (relatively) easy steps.

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1. Consider your three- to five-year plan

First things first: Is home ownership right for you right now?

You might have a perfect credit score and 20 percent savings all ready to go. But if your three- to five-year plan includes a desire to move across the country for a new job or travel around the world—a popular refrain among millennials in particular—you may want to reconsider buying a house until you're ready to put down roots.

Of course, unexpected events can happen, which might require you to move. But if you're planning on a nationwide job hunt or wandering to a new locale anytime soon, consider putting homeownership on hold—just for now. However, if you're ready to settle down and become part of a community for the long haul, you're a good candidate to start that search.

2. Do the prep work

Abraham Lincoln is famously quoted as saying, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." It's not a bad idea to think about Honest Abe's words as the second step in buying a home: prepare.

Well before you tour a home, and even before you find a real estate agent, do your research. Figure out your budget. Figure out your target neighborhood. Shop around for lenders offering the best interest rates. Learn about short sales and fixer uppers. Get to know the people you'll encounter during the process. Understand the types of mortgages commonly available to buyers. Read as much as you can about local real estate (Neighborhoods.com is a helpful resource).

If you're a renter, take time to understand the terms of your current lease so you can make a graceful exit. If you're an existing homeowner, think about how you're going to price your current home to encourage a quick sale.

Researching and learning about the homebuying process means you'll feel more confident and comfortable as things pick up steam. Remember, once you put in an offer, things move fast.

3. Find a real estate agent

While steps 2 and 3 could be flip-flopped, finding a real estate agent after you do some initial research makes for an easier house hunt. I liken it to going to the hairdresser; you could describe what you want in a new style, or you could show them a picture. The latter is almost always going to garner a better end result.

Similarly, if you can come to a real estate agent—no matter how much of a local expert they are—with information on your target neighborhoods, your budget, the style of home you're looking for, and a pre-approval letter, they'll have an easier time finding the property that's just right for you. I found my own real estate agent through a friend, but Neighborhoods.com can connect you to a credible agent if you’re unsure where to begin.

4. Get pre-approved or consider pre-underwriting

Next up, take steps to appeal to sellers as you inch toward putting in an offer. By getting pre-approved for a loan, for example, you show sellers you're a serious prospect. The lender will even give you a pre-approval letter you can take with you to showings. In extremely competitive markets like major metropolitan areas, you might even consider a lender who offers pre-underwriting.

couple touring backyard of home with real estate agent

5. Tour homes

This is the fun part! With the help of your real estate agent, you'll begin touring homes in real life—not just online. Try to look past cosmetic issues like wall color. You can also review this list of unexpected things to look for as you tour homes (hint: check to see if there's cellphone service).

6. Make an offer

You toured a house you love, and it ticks all the right boxes. Now, with the help of your real estate agent, you'll put in an offer. How low you can go with an offer depends on your local market and the condition of the property.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 as necessary

Sometimes, it'll take some repetition before an offer sticks. Try not to get discouraged, and stay the course. Eventually, you will find a home that speaks to you and have an offer accepted. And while stresses of house hunting are well-known and far-reaching, there are ways to reduce stress during the process.

8. Sit tight during escrow

What is escrow, exactly? Glad you asked.

In short, the escrow period usually lasts about 30 days (it can last longer for a short sale). You'll have an appraisal done on the home, and loan professionals will review important details in your financial picture to determine whether or not they'll approve your request for a loan. It can be nerve-wracking. It can be tedious. But you will get through it.

9. Make plans for your current living situation

One way to take your mind off the escrow period is to take care of administrative things like transitioning from one living space to another. Ideally, you will have already done things like notify your landlord if applicable or work to set up a sublease.

If you're a current homeowner, you will have already put your home on the market by now (this is all part of the prep in step 2). However, there are still plenty of logistics you can address during this period. 

Little things like hiring movers and making sure your move aligns with your closing date (and planning for a hotel or other arrangements if it doesn't) are a great way to cross things off your moving checklist and feel better prepared once you're approved.

10. Get your closing funds together (and an emergency fund)

After the escrow period and receiving approval on your loan, your loan officer will let you know how much money is due at closing. This number will likely be higher than your down payment; most buyers are responsible for some, if not all, of closing costs, which can include things like attorney fees, title service costs, private mortgage insurance fees, and more. 

I'd also suggest from personal experience to set aside a little something extra—not one week after I moved into my home, a pipe burst. And I no longer had a landlord to call. New homeowners take note: repairs just come with the territory.

Last thing: Remember to get the keys!