Ten Common Mistakes of Homebuyers

The list below is common mistakes made by homebuyers.  These items should be of utmost importance and kept in mind while you look for a home. By realizing what to avoid, you should have a more successful experience. Relocation clients should pay special attention. Typically, transferees move more often than other homebuyers, and purchase mistakes cannot always be overcome by appreciation over time.

1. Looking for a home without being pre-approved with a lender. Having this process completed in advance, gives you more negotiating power when making an offer on a property you have decided to purchase. If the seller can confirm that you are qualified for a mortgage when you make your offer, they are more apt to bargain more seriously so they can successfully sell their home.
    
2. Going it alone. Buyers should find and use the services of a real estate professional that possesses adequate knowledge of the area and relative property values. A competent REALTOR^®   can offer their experience in the transaction and offer their help in acquiring a home inspector, insurer, closing attorney, and much more.
    
3. It could be a mistake to work with a real estate professional that is unable to identify customer needs, recognize when those needs change, and identify a sensible process for reaching decisions. Working with a REALTOR^®    that you enjoy working with can be important as well as their professional experience.
    
4. Did you consider the resale of the property involved. Research the area or subdivision to make certain the properties in that area have rising values.
    
5. There is no reason to enter into the market unprepared. There are tremendous amounts of information easily available on the Internet today for savvy buyers. Knowledge is power…take advantage of it.
    
6. Purchasing the largest, most expensive or over-improved home in a particular subdivision. Don’t let emotional decisions get in the way of logic.
    
7. Purchasing new construction without also checking out the builder’s reputation. See if you can visit some other existing new homes already occupied and ask the homeowner about the builder’s follow up with any problems they may have encountered.
    
8. Purchasing a home that does not have adequate features for the price range or has an unpopular floor plan. Many times an attractive exterior may cause buyers to overlook a poor floor plan.
    
9. Did you forget to also check out the neighborhood where your new home could be located? If you are too intensely locked into just looking at the houses themselves, you may forget to go back after dark and on the weekends to see what happens in the neighborhood at different times of the day and week.
    
10. Not getting a professional home inspection is a mistake. Your home is a huge purchase and you should protect that purchase from the beginning by having a qualified inspector thoroughly check out the home from top to bottom. This is no time for a surprise.

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