January 10, 2020

4 House Hunting Mistakes to Avoid

budgeting for a new home, homebuying basics, real estate search

Couple holding hands by window, red sold sign visible outside

It’s a new year and you’re ready to buy a new home! But a house is a big investment, and you want to make sure that you get it right.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. We’ve identified some common house hunting mistakes that can turn a seamless, stress-free home search into an exasperating experience.

To help ensure your homebuying journey is as pain-free as possible, try to steer clear of potential house hunting blunders, such as:

Flying solo. Although it may be tempting to skip the real estate agent, he or she can actually add a lot of value to your house hunt. For starters, an experienced agent can help you research potential communities, floor plans and home listings in your area. An agent can also help you keep track of important deadlines, navigate complex paperwork, ask questions on your behalf (maybe some you haven’t even considered!) and more. Get tips for choosing a real estate agent.
Not setting a budget. If you don’t know how much house you can afford, you could waste valuable time (and set yourself up for major disappointment) exploring communities and floor plans that are beyond your means. Or, you might find yourself settling when you could have afforded a larger home, or one with more lavish features. To help avoid potential heartbreak and headaches, use a mortgage calculator and/or speak with a lender to establish a realistic budget before you begin your home search.
Letting others influence your decision. Buying a home is a very personal decision. Therefore, your opinion should take precedence over the opinions of those who aren’t going to be living in (or paying for) your new abode. You know what you are looking for in a home, so don’t let others talk you out of your preferred location, desired home features, etc. Equally important: don’t let anyone pressure you to choose a community and/or features that don’t really appeal or matter to you. After all, you’re the one who has to live with your decision!
Not planning for the future. There is a good chance that you may live in your new home for many years. So, it’s important to anticipate how your current wants and needs may change over time. Do you plan to work from home in the future? If so, you may eventually require a dedicated home office. Thinking about expanding your family? You might want to opt for an additional bedroom… Of course, you can always sell your home if it doesn’t function the way you need it to in the future, but choosing a home that you can grow with may be a more appealing option.