Don't Make These 7 Mistakes When You Buy Your First Home

Sunday, May 19, 2019   /   by Robert Woessner

Don't Make These 7 Mistakes When You Buy Your First Home

1. Underestimating (or forgetting) the added costs.

Buying a house entails many additional expenses on top of the price of the house itself. There are loan application costs, mortgage insurance, and closing costs, just to name a few. You may also need to spend on renovations once you move in. One tip: a quarter (or better, half) of the price of the house should be stashed in your account in order to cover for these expenses.






2. Not getting a buyer's agent.

Securing your own buyer's agent allows for a critical eye over deals and transactions. Negotiating solely with a seller’s agent who’s legally obligated to work for their client’s interests can be a mistake.

3. Falling prey to “too good to be true” home values.

These advertised low rates are all over the internet, and online home valuation sites can set unrealistic payment expectations. It's good to have an experienced real estate agent explain the rationale on market prices by conducting a comparative market analysis based on internal industry data.

4. Not doing research on the neighborhood.

You might have found the house of your dreams, but, it doesn't exist in a bubble. It’s best to know about the status of the location of the house in terms of the ease of transport around the area, crime levels, the presence of earthquake fault lines, proximity to schools, hospitals, and police stations, etc. After all, location is key.

5. Going house hunting without a pre-approved mortgage.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage plan requires a professional evaluation of your credit report and credit score. This can help you evaluate your finances—how much can you borrow and how much can you realistically afford to pay.

6. Skipping a home inspection.

A house may look like it's in top shape, but there may be hidden defects lurking out of sight. A certified home inspector with a trained eye can easily spot problems which you may have missed, like termite infestations and gas leaks. If significant issues are detected, you may be able to negotiate with the buyer to lower the price.

7. Failing to see it as a long-term investment.

It may be appealing to you to own a great house, but there are a lot of things to consider. Ask yourself: can I live and work around this location for more than 3 years? Can my family live a peaceful and thriving life in this neighborhood? If the answer is no, you may want to reconsider, as homes need time to appreciate in value and you may be throwing away your hard-earned money if you need to move too quickly after purchase.

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The source of this real property information is the copyrighted and proprietary database compilation of the Southwest Florida MLS organizations Copyright 2023. Southwest Florida MLS organizations. All rights reserved. The accuracy of this information is not warranted or guaranteed. This information should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction in reliance upon it. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification.
2023 Royal Palm Coast REALTORĀ® Association. All rights reserved. Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) of the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than IDX logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. The information being provided is for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Last Updated: 11/29/2023 9:18 AM CST
The data relating to real estate for sale on this limited electronic display comes in part from the Southwest Florida Multiple Listing Services. Properties listed with brokerage firms other than are marked with the BR Program Icon or the BR House Icon and detailed information about them includes the name of the Listing Brokers. The properties displayed may not be all the properties available through the BR Program. The source of this real property information is the copyrighted and proprietary database compilation of the participating Southwest Florida MLS organizations and is Copyright 2017 Southwest Florida MLS organizations. All rights reserved. The accuracy of this information is not warranted or guaranteed. This information should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction in reliance upon it. Some properties that appear for sale on this limited electronic display may no longer be available. For the most current information, contact Data last updated 11/29/2023 9:18 AM CST.
The source of this real property information is the copyrighted and proprietary database compilation of the Southwest Florida MLS organizations Copyright 2023. Southwest Florida MLS organizations. All rights reserved. The accuracy of this information is not warranted or guaranteed. This information should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction in reliance upon it. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification.
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