• Home
• Archives
• Contact Us
• Sitemap

Top Mistakes of Home Buyers and How You Can Avoid Them

Top Mistakes of Home Buyers and How You Can Avoid Them

Even if you have done it numerous times, buying a home is a substantial step. There are many decisions you must make whenever you buy a home. In this article we describe the most common mistakes that home buyers tend to make and some suggestions on how to avoid making them.

Selecting a Bad Location

There are too many factors that can make a location, or even a single lot or a block, a poor one — very high local property taxes, falling in a bad school district or maybe a neglected neighborhood, even with problem areas such as which way the house is oriented. In case you don’t believe that this would be a problem to you, just imagine looking out onto a junk yard or a neighbor with a broken down car in the yard as you prepare breakfast or have guests. Before you make an offer on a house, take a little time to critically rate the neighborhood (and to look out the windows). You can talk to the neighbors and make inquiries.

Inadequate Research

Take time to perform some research to learn about the asking and sale price of homes similar to what you are looking for. It doesn’t take much effort to check some prices. This will protect you from overpaying for a home.

Not Being Patient

It can be frustrating to have to look at so many homes places before you find the one you want, but a successful home buyer appreciates that patience is needed. You have to see a ten, twenty, or even fifty homes before you find the one that is right for you. Most people will live in their homes for many years, and rushing the selection process can lead to many years of thinking about the homes you didn’t choose.

Failing to Have the Home Inspected by an Impartial Inspector

Although the seller is required to disclose in writing any known flaws of with the home to you, the key word is “known.” The seller may not know that the crawlspace has subterranean termites or that the area behind the north wall has gotten wet and is growing a hardy colony of dangerous mold. That’s why it is so important to have the home gone over by an independent inspector. You have to be willing to hear the discouraging things about the home you may have your heart set on. Better to find out now when they can be corrected before you move in than to move in and learn the hard way.

Not Knowing What It Is That You Want

Even before you start shopping for a home, make two lists of the things you want.

The first list you make should be called “Must have.” These are the features that are absolutely necessary. “Must haves” might include things like being in a particular part of town or school district, having a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms, or carrying a certain maximum price. Lacking any of these features could eliminate the home from your list.

Call the next list “Wants.” These are the features that you would prefer to have in a perfect world but that you could live without. If your “Mandatory” list, for instance, had two bedrooms and two baths, your second list might include three bedrooms and three baths.

Homebuying involves some big commitments. If you can stay away from making these common pitfalls you will not only have an easier time choosing the perfect home, but you will save yourself a lot of headaches — and regret.

For your real estate search in Boulder CO, try Automated Homefinder.

Home Buyer Info

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.