Buying a home starts out as exciting, but often ends up being stressful. It’s not just the dizzying array of legal and financial details to be sorted out—it’s the fact that much of the home-buying process takes place under the pressure of a deadline.

Once you and the seller sign a purchase agreement, the clock starts ticking on getting everything lined up in time to close the deal. Here are steps that walk you through how to buy a house.

If you’re planning to move, you might be weighing the pros and cons of moving yourself versus hiring a moving company. While cost is one consideration, your decision will likely depend on a number of factors, including how far you’re moving, how flexible you can be with your schedule, and how much of the moving you’re comfortable doing on your own.

For a simple cross-town move, inviting a few friends to help load and unload a rental truck could be a less pricey and more convenient alternative to hiring a moving company. Moving an entire two-story household over a long distance might go more smoothly with a team of professionals experienced in properly loading a truck and in navigating tight staircases with heavy furniture.