TL;DR

This 60-day playbook helps you move from hopeful to offer-ready with fewer closing surprises.

Why this matters

In competitive markets, buyers who close confidently usually prepare earlier. They align affordability, down payment proof, and legal cash requirements before offer deadlines tighten.

Offer confidence usually comes from preparation depth, not urgency.

60-day first-time buyer checklist

  1. Day 60: run affordability, stress-test, and down-payment scenarios together.
  2. Day 45: map full cash-to-close target including costs, adjustments, and reserves.
  3. Day 30: complete source-of-funds and gift documentation.
  4. Day 14: align offer timeline with lender and legal execution reality.
  5. Day 7: verify final funding path and condition readiness before commitment.
Sixty day first-time home buyer checklist timeline for Canadian buyers with sunset skyline
Simple timelines reduce emotional decisions during offer periods.

One behavior trap to avoid

Present bias can make buyers optimize for winning the bid and ignore first-year cash resilience. Protect the first year before pushing price ceilings.

Best next step

Sources