I remember going through my first home buying process. I also remember the confusion and frustration of not having a "big picture" in my mind of how the process should work. That's why I'm giving you what I never had, a start-to-finish road map of the process.

Home Buying Process - By the Numbers
In reality, there's no way to predict exactly how the process will go for you. There are too many variables along the way. But there's a general pattern to the process, and that's what we will examine here.

1. Decide to buy a home
It all starts with this spark. And since you're reading this article, we can assume you're already past this point.

2. Conduct a financial self-assessment
Some people put this step later in the home buying process. But it belongs at the beginning. Before you start looking at houses and shopping for mortgages, you need to take a good look at your financial situation. You can start by ordering a copy of your credit report, and reviewing it for errors.

3. Make a home buying wish list
Once you have an idea how much you can afford, start writing down the things you'd like in a house: style, size, features, location, price, etc. Prioritize each item as either a "must have" or "would like to have."

4. Get pre-approved for a loan
Pre-approval is the process of applying for a loan and getting approved for a certain amount before having a purchase agreement (contract). Having a pre-approval letter also shows sellers you