1. Be pre-qualified by a mortgage loan officer.

2. Obtain a mortgage pre-approval.

3. Have the necessary funds in your checking account to write an initial earnest money check.

4. Have the remaining money for your down payment easily accessible.

5. If you are receiving a "gift letter" for a portion of your down payment, be sure to have the money transferred into your savings account.

6. Pay balances on revolving credit cards.

7. Do not make big purchases (such as a car on installment payments) prior to getting loan approval and closing on your new home.

8. Have a credit report run by a credit agency so that you can see what might be on the report and clear up any credit problems.

9. Find an attorney to review an "offer to purchase agreement".

10. Be aware of the dates you can move.

11. Do you have a current lease?

12. Can you sublet your current residence?

13. How important is it to remain in your current residence until the lease expires?

14. Can you be flexible on dates?