A rapid-fire guide to the next steps in your homebuying journey, from boosting your credit score to nailing negotiations and knowing exactly what to do after your offer is accepted.

In Part 2 of the 2025 Ultimate Homebuying Checklist, David Sidoni delivers another round of actionable, must-know tips to help first-time homebuyers prepare for their purchase — even in today’s stalled summer market. Building on Part 1 (Episode 373), this episode dives into five critical areas: credit score preparation, neighborhood sleuthing, loan and financing strategy, negotiation tactics, and your immediate to-dos after an offer is accepted. Learn how to check and improve your credit score, avoid common loan pitfalls, research neighborhoods beyond online listings, and negotiate for more than just price. David also outlines the crucial first moves to make post-offer so you can close with confidence. Whether your purchase is months or years away, this checklist will keep you focused and ready to act when the time is right.

Quote: “Before you even dream shop on Zillow, start with your credit score.”

Highlights:

• Why now is the perfect time to prepare for your future purchase
• Credit score tips that can save you thousands
• The one site you should use to check your credit report weekly
• Neighborhood research beyond online listings
• Loan shopping myths and truths
• How to negotiate for more than just price
• Post-offer steps to protect your deal

Referenced Episodes:

Credit

• 3 – What Do You Need To Know About Credit
• 8 – Quick Credit Tips For First Time Home Buyers
• 61 – More FICO Fun - Some Good News, For Once, About Credit Scores - And More Credit Hacks!
• 90 – Credit Repair For 300-669 - “Bad” Or “Fair” Credit Scores
• 182 – Interview: From ZERO Credit Score to Homeowner
• 199 – Boomer’s Homes Were CHEAPER – Plus Credit Pull Myths!
• 304 – Improve Your Credit: Homebuying 101 - Step 3
• 349 – Credit Score Solutions for First-Time Buyers (INTERVIEW)

Internet Tips for Home Shopping

• 227 – Using The Internet To Research Your First Home

New Homes vs. Resale

• 279 – New Build vs Resale Houses for First Time Homebuyers

Bidding Wars (3-episode series)

• 175 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in the 2023 market
• 176 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in 2023 – Part 2
• 177 – How to win in BIDDING WARS in 2023 – Part 3

Market Updates

• 361 – 2025 Midyear & Market Update
• 364 – REDO 237 – (High Rates, No Problem - Your First Time Home Buying Guide for 2024)

10 Steps (301–310)

• 301 – Introduction to Homebuying 101: Getting Started in 30 min
• 302 – HOMEBUYING 101: Deciding Your Goals | STEP 1
• 303 – HOMEBUYING 101: Choosing A Realtor & Lender | STEP 2
• 304 – Improve Your Credit: Homebuying 101 - Step 3
• 305 – Debt Management: Homebuying 101 - Step 4
• 306 – Saving To Buy Your Home: Homebuying 101 - Step 5
• 307 – Choosing House Must-Haves: Homebuying 101 - Step 6
• 308 – DIY Education & Online Research: Homebuying 101 - Step 7 & 8
• 309 – Stop Fearing Your Future Mortgage | STEP 9 | HOMEBUYING 101
• 310 – HOMEBUYING 101: Understanding Today's Market | STEP 10

Loans & Mortgage Planning

• 346 – How to Build the Perfect Mortgage Plan (Before You Apply)
• 345 – Why You’re Asking the WRONG Question About Interest Rates
• 237 – High Rates, No Problem: Your First Time Home Buying Guide for 2024
• 339 – Don’t Get Pre-Qualified—Get a Plan (INTERVIEW)
• 340 – Down Payment Assistance, Discovery Calls & Lending Myths (INTERVIEW)
• 242 – 10 (MORE) Listener Questions ANSWERED: How to Buy Your First Home Pt 2
• 250 – Down Payment Assistance is BACK (Save Major $$$ Buying a House)

Real Questions for 2025 (7-part series: 352–359)

• 352 – Real Answers to the Most Asked Homebuying Questions (Part 1)
• 353 – Real Answers Pt 2: Mortgage Myths, Interest Rates & Buying Timing
• 354 – Real Answers Pt 3: PMI Panic, Bad Advice & David Unleashed
• 355 – Real Answers Pt 4: Should I Rent or Buy in 2025?
• 356 – Real Answers Pt. 5: What You Must Know Before Making Your First Offer
• 357 – Real Answers Pt 6: How to Handle Homeownership Costs Without F