Buying a house is an overwhelming experience for many. There are so many details to keep in mind, so many things to get done... Fortunately, the happy day does eventually arrive when you can sit down and sign off on your mortgage. But have you checked off the most critical items on your list? A mortgage is a sizeable financial agreement— you want to make sure that everything is in order before you sign on that dotted line.

The following are the top things you need to make sure you’ve handled before signing off on your mortgage. Buying a home doesn’t need to be intimidating— if you follow these steps, you’ll have done a lot to guarantee that your new home experience is as secure as you’d always hoped it would be.

Understand the Closing Costs – There are a lot of fees that come up at the end of the home buying process. Responsibility for these closing costs are often worked out during the negotiation process, and are often shared between the buyer and seller. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of just how much you will have to pay when you sign off and finalize the deal.

Get Your Home Inspected – Even if you’re buying a house from your best friend, you should always get a home inspection before buying. Inspections practically pay for themselves— you’ll save a lot of money and headache down the road by knowing exactly what’s going on with your house, especially if an inspector uncovers a major problem before your sale is finalized. Many lenders will require an inspection, but you should make sure that it’s included, in any case. Research the best inspectors in your area and demand that an inspection be conducted on your potential home.

Check out Prepayment Penalties – Sometimes a lender will put penalties in place that come into effect if you are able to pay off your mortgage earlier than expected. In this way, they can still profit without charging you 30 years of interest. These can work for or against you- prepayment penalties can result in a lower interest rate. Look into this option carefully and see what works for you.

Have an Attorney Check Your Docs – If you can afford it, hiring a lawyer who specializes in real estate law is a good idea. He or she can give you an objective look at your deal that you won’t necessarily get from a real estate agent or your regular lawyer.