Nothing is more emotional and more highly charged than purchasing the place where you are going to raise your family, put down roots in the community, become involved in schools and other civic organizations. And to make that decision without having an advocate is nothing short of foolhardy. It is in your best interests to be adequately represented in this, the most important of all financial investments for your family’s well being. Although the home buying process varies with each person according to their specific needs, most transactions follow a general path.
To avoid the stress of purchasing a new home, secure all the information you can about a property, make informed intelligent decisions and avoid these 10 Buyer’s Mistakes:
6. More concerned with others’ opinions instead of trusting their gut.
Because buying a house can certainly be emotional, many buyers rely on the opinion of others instead of their own. Therefore, it is important that you be armed with a practical checklist. Being prepared before you preview homes with your Realtor will help keep your search for the perfect house on track. Begin your home buyer checklist by writing down the minimum requirements you expect in a new home. You can also add some of the wish list items you would like to have but are not absolute necessities. Once you review potential homes against your list, trust your gut. Remember, this is going to be your home.
7. Choose the wrong agent to represent them.
It’s just as important to shop around for the right real estate agent as it is to shop for the right home. A wrong person leading you through this extensive process can lead to hassles and headaches. To find the right real estate agent, get referrals from family and friends. Do research online. Ask your potential real estate agents lots of questions! They should seem willing and able to answer any and all questions you may have. The more you ask, the more educated you can be to make the right decisions.
8. Think that by dealing with the listing agent they will get a better deal.
Buying a home without a real estate agent doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save a bundle.
Many home buyers believe they can negotiate a discount off the price of the home they want to purchase if they forgo the services of a real estate agent and instead contact the seller’s realty agent or the seller directly on their own. This strategy may be successful on some occasions; however, it could also flop and potentially alienate both the seller’s agent and the seller. In some cases, the seller’s agent will not talk to you without the representation of a buyer’s agent.
9. They try to time the market or interest rates.
Now is a good time to buy – prices are down, interest rates are low, there are lots of homes to choose from and you can bargain with sellers. If you try to wait and time the market, you are likely to lose out. Just as no one can accurately predict the peaks and valleys of the stock market, the same holds true for housing. Most likely, your guess on market timing would be wrong. But if you choose to buy now, you will not only be in the driver’s seat during the buying process, you will also reap the gains of price appreciation once you become a home owner.
10. More focused on finding a good deal than finding a good house.
A low price is not always a good value. In fact, it may be no bargain at all if the maintenance costs are prohibitive. Find out when the house was last painted and re-roofed. Ask the seller to provide copies of utility bills so you can accurately budget the ongoing cost of your home purchase. Home inspections may reveal more extensive repair work requiring greater expenditure than you anticipate. Also, if the house has a large yard, trees, a swimming pool or a spa, and you don’t have the time or expertise to do pool cleaning or yard work, find out what the current owner pays to maintain those amenities.
