The process of buying a home is one that you need to engage in with your head as well as your heart. You can’t make impulsive decisions when buying a home or you may find that you make a poor investment that will cost you time, money and frustration down the road.

Insure that you are a smart first-time home buyer by avoiding some common mistakes:

Mistakes to Avoid as a First-Time Home Buyer

• You Can’t Get Over the Decor – Don’t allow the paint colors or the furniture in a home to sway you either way. The current home owners will take their furniture with them, and paint can be easily changed. Try to picture yourself in the home to determine if it’s the right fit.
• Skip an inspection – It doesn’t matter how the home looks on the surface; you need a home inspection when purchasing ANY home. You don’t want to be surprised by issues down the road that may have been deal breakers.
• Rely on Verbal Promises – The only agreements in a real estate transaction are those put in writing. Just because there is an unwritten agreement that you ‘may’ be able to occupy the home before your official closing date, does not mean anyone is obligated to abide by that. Put the important details in your offer and subsequent contracts and you will have better guarantees.
• Get Approved For a Mortgage After You Make an Offer – It is important that you get pre-approved for a mortgage before you actually start shopping for a home. We can help you get pre-approved in minutes.
• You See the Home Only One Time – Make sure you schedule a walk-through of the home before you take possession. You never know what condition it will be in when time has elapsed between the initial viewing and the closing date.
• You Jump on the First House You Like – Seeing a number of houses will help you get your priorities in order. Visiting multiple homes even when you find one you like will help you to think with your head as well as your heart.