11/08/2026
Your home savings goal needs room beyond the down payment. For a U.S. purchase, include closing expenses and cash reserves when setting your monthly savings target.
Preparing for your first home purchase starts well before making an offer. This U.S. guide organizes the process into stages covering credit, savings, mortgage preparation and the home search. Use those stages to identify tasks that need extra time, such as gathering documents or researching down pa...