Are you in the market for a new house? If it’s your first time shopping, you may not be familiar with the dos and don’ts of the homebuying process. Advice garnered from your parents or others may be great, but what worked in the past may not work now. Here are a few mistakes you should try to avoid when going through the home-buying process in this day and age:
Don’t miss out on great options
Some new homebuyers may be shopping around for mortgage loans and rates with no idea of what’s available to them. There are some great offers out there for people from various backgrounds and needs in life, but the uninformed homebuyer may be missing out. You’ll want to do thorough research to see what is available for you, from VA loans to heloc rates and more. You could save a lot of money when you take the time to find out as much as possible before shopping for a loan.
Do buy within your budget
It can be hugely tempting to buy a home that seems to be perfect in every way, except for the price. You may hem and haw about it for a while when you know that it’s quite a big bite, simply because dream homes are not always easy to come by.
Unfortunately, a big mistake that many new homebuyers make is committing to a house they can’t afford. While at the gate, it may seem appealing and doable, but when all the extra fees come in and the day-to-day grind of life and having a high mortgage become a reality, well, that dream house may not feel so dreamy anymore. It’s always best to make a decision based on what you can comfortably afford. It may not have all the extra bells and whistles, but if you’re happy and comfortable there without being stressed about money, well, you’ll probably love it a lot more.
Do build up savings for your home
If you want to get good rates and have a sizeable downpayment, it’s a good idea to start saving for your home long before you want to buy it. From being able to afford a good down payment to simply having the extra money for fees, repairs, etc., it’s a wise move to start saving for your future home investment as soon as you read this. If you’re already saving that money, think about adding more to it.
Don’t forget the extra costs and fees
A mistake that is made due to being ill-informed is not saving for the extra costs and fees involved in buying a home. While you may have everything set up for the loan and downpayment, you may find yourself in a pickle if you don’t have some cash for things like title insurance, loan origination fees, escrow, and more.
Even the simple process of moving into your new home will cost you. So, when calculating the money that you need to buy a home, include the cost of the home that you want to buy, and then so much more. It is certainly a financial commitment.
Do work with a realtor you can trust
If there’s a process that requires expertise, trust, and local knowledge, it’s the home buying process, and finding the right realtor to help you buy your home can make a difference. An expert real estate agent knows how to get it done, protect your interests, and help you find the ideal home for you and your life situation. It can be difficult to find a realtor if you’re new, so ask around, do your research, and yes, go with your gut.
In Conclusion
If you want to find a home that suits your needs and your budget, take your time shopping. From the realtor that you work with to the loan that you accept, the homebuying process shouldn’t be rushed. Take it slow and do your research—you’ll be glad you did when you have a home you can afford and love.