As a first-time home buyer, you are probably excited about finally having your own place. However, with this excitement comes anxiety and stress as you navigate buying your first home. It can seem like a million things to consider, making it difficult to know where to start. That being said, you must be prepared and avoid common pitfalls that many first-time home buyers make when they dive into the real estate market. If you’re planning on buying your first home soon, read about some common mistakes first-time home buyers make and how you can avoid them during this exciting time in your life.
Don’t look for houses before you get pre-approval
As a first-time home buyer, you’ll likely need to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you go house hunting. A mortgage pre-approval is a written statement of an estimate of the amount you’ll be approved to borrow based on specific criteria such as your credit score and income. This will give you a rough idea of how much house you can afford and how much you’ll be expected to put down. A good lender will help you determine how much house you can afford based on your current financial situation. If you start the process of finding a home to buy without being pre-approved, you’ll just be wasting your time.
Don’t Assume Anything When Negotiating.
When negotiating with a seller, it’s essential to understand that a lot goes on behind the scenes before you even get to the table. The seller has probably put a lot of time and effort into getting the house ready to sell, and they’re hoping to get as much money as possible for it. As a first-time home buyer, you may feel unprepared and unsure of how to negotiate the price of a house. However, it’s important to remember that every negotiation starts with an assumption. You may assume that the seller is asking a specific price because the house is in excellent condition and the seller wants a high price, but that may not be the case at all. There could be many other factors, such as needing to sell the house quickly due to a job relocation, that you don’t know about.
Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away.
When you find a house you love, it’s tempting to make an offer you know is above your budget to be sure you get it. This may seem like a good idea, but walking away from a house you really want is always better than making a bad offer. If you have your eye on a house and are willing to pay a higher price, don’t make an offer that you know is above your budget. It’s better to walk away from the house than make an offer you aren’t 100% sure you can afford.
Make Sure Your Finances Are in Order
Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. You must be absolutely sure you can afford the payments if you sign a mortgage. While mortgages are often viewed as a long-term investment, they are still loans that must be repaid. Before you dive into purchasing a home, make sure you have a plan for how you’ll be able to pay back the loan and make your monthly payments. This will help you avoid financial pitfalls that many first-time home buyers make, such as getting a mortgage that is too large for their budget and making payments that are too large for them to afford.
Bottom Line
It’s important to remember that buying your first home is a huge step that requires a lot of research and planning. There are many things to consider, from mortgage rates and down payment requirements to the best neighborhoods in your area. With so much going on, making a mistake as a first-time home buyer can be easy. Avoid these common pitfalls by being prepared and knowing what to expect when buying your first home.