Home Buyer Consultation Checklist Template (PDF, Excel, Doc)

Author – Joe Stephenson, REALTOR®

Let’s talk about the home buying process. Real estate agents like me know that a clear, repeatable system can turn anxious browsers into confident, loyal clients. Any real estate professional should make sure to deliver a concise roadmap in that very first meeting, which is exactly why I’m giving you this free home buyer consultation checklist you can brand as your own. If you haven’t been gone through the pre-approval process, then you may need to provide your income and credit history because it’s the fastest way to set realistic price parameters and prevent surprise underwriting hiccups down the line.

You’ll want to prepare a real estate buyer questionnaire so you can capture motivation, budget, and must-have features before the tour bus ever starts rolling. Because the real estate industry moves at hyper-speed and buyers expect Amazon-level efficiency, having a streamlined consultation framework helps you standout. But once they get their dream home, it’s honestly the most compelling, referral-worthy proof that your process works.

Download Free Home Buyer Checklist Template

PDF | Google Doc | Excel

1. Pre-Consultation Prep

2. Buyer Profile & Motivation

• ☐ Primary goal (first home, upsizing, downsizing, investment, relocation)
• ☐ Desired move-in timeline and flexibility
• ☐ Current living situation (renting, owning, lease end date)
• ☐ Decision-makers and their roles
• ☐ Lifestyle factors (commute, schools, walkability, pets, hobbies)

3. Financial Snapshot

• ☐ Verified lender pre-approval or proof of funds
• ☐ Comfortable monthly payment range vs. maximum qualification
• ☐ Cash available for down payment, closing costs, reserves
• ☐ Financing type (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, cash)
• ☐ Discuss interest-rate environment & locking strategy
• ☐ Expected out-of-pocket expenses (inspection, appraisal, insurance, HOA fees)

4. Must-Have / Nice-to-Have Real Estate Criteria

5. Market Education

• ☐ Current inventory levels & days-on-market trends
• ☐ Recent comparable sales examples
• ☐ Typical list-to-sale price ratios
• ☐ Seasonality considerations
• ☐ Local disclosures or regulations buyers must sign (lead paint, radon, water rights, etc.)

6. The Buying Roadmap

1. ☐ Write & submit offers
2. ☐ Earnest money deposit procedures
3. ☐ Inspection & due-diligence timelines
4. ☐ Appraisal contingency basics
5. ☐ Financing & underwriting milestones
6. ☐ Title work & closing disclosures
7. ☐ Final walk-through and closing day logistics
8. ☐ Post-closing support (utilities, homestead filing, warranty)

7. Representation & Paperwork

• ☐ Agency relationship explained; brokerage disclosure signed
• ☐ Exclusive buyer-broker agreement reviewed & executed (if used in your state)
• ☐ Sample purchase contract overview
• ☐ Data-privacy and communication preferences agreed upon

8. Next Steps & Action Items

9. Resources to Provide

• Home-buying guide PDF
• Sample closing settlement statement
• Recommended lender / inspector / insurance list
• Cost-of-homeownership worksheet
• FAQ sheet on earnest money & contingencies

10. Follow-Up Plan

• ☐ Add buyer to CRM with tagged search criteria
• ☐ Schedule weekly check-in (call or email) until under contract
• ☐ Automate new-listing alerts and market updates
• ☐ Calendar reminder for rate-lock discussion two weeks before projected closing

What Did I Miss on this Home Buyer Consultation Checklist?

Please look over this checklist and tell me what I missed. I need your ideas to keep it fresh for every first client and for first time homebuyers. Your notes on market conditions, loan pre approval steps, or ways to confirm employment status will help other agents set expectations and stay organized. Share tips for running a smooth home search and for guiding potential homebuyers through the search process, purchase process, and closing.

Add any important details about financing options such as a home loan for a house or how to fund an investment property. If you work regularly, we’d love to hear you explain the benefits that help your business. I also want feedback on how to record property preferences, desired features, specific features, and a clear picture of the new home so buyers and sellers are on the same page. When we build rapport and have a clear understanding of client needs, proper expectations follow and we save time.

Give me detailed information on price trends, how purchase price can vary depending on area, and anything else that helps create informed decisions. I will keep adding your ideas to this comprehensive guide and post each update, so together we can meet specific needs and grow strong client relationships.

About the Author

Joseph E. Stephenson, REALTOR®

License #00054082 | Kansas & Missouri

Affiliated with Welch & Company (License #CO00000477)

Joseph E. Stephenson is a licensed real estate professional in Kansas and Missouri with a career built on dedication to integrity and client-focused service. To learn more about how Joseph can assist you in your real estate endeavors, visit his REALTOR® profile at realtor.com.

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Joseph E. Stephenson also operates a business named Stephenson Residential, LLC. You can verify the business at the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

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