Inside the Guide

Everything you need before you make an offer

Whether you are buying your first home or your fifth, the process in Greater Boston has its own rhythms. This guide walks through it end to end — in plain language, with no jargon and nothing to sign up for.

• Getting pre-approved, and what it really costs
• Budgeting beyond the purchase price
• How to compare Greater Boston neighborhoods
• What happens between offer and closing
• Inspections, due diligence and timelines
• Mistakes first-time buyers make — and how to skip them