First-Time Home Buyer Common Mistakes

November 1, 2022

Are you a first-time home buyer? If so, you may wonder what common mistakes to avoid when buying your first home. In this blog post, we will discuss first-time buyers’ top three mistakes. So, if you want to buy your first home, read on!

1. Common Mistakes

• Mistake No. 1: Spending More Than You Can Afford

When buying a house, it’s essential to stay within your budget. Just because you’re approved for a particular loan amount doesn’t mean you should spend that much on your home. Remember, you’ll also have other expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance to consider. It’s best to stay within your means and only purchase a home you can comfortably afford.

• Mistake No. 2: Not Preparing For The Mortgage Process

The mortgage process can be complex and confusing, especially for first-time buyers. Doing your research and working with a trusted mortgage lender to ensure a smooth process is essential.

• Mistake No. 3: Confusing Prequalification And Preapproval

Many first-time buyers confuse prequalification and preapproval. Simply put, prequalification is an estimate of what you may be able to borrow based on factors like your income and debts. Pre Approval, on the other hand, is a more thorough process that gives you a more accurate estimate of what you’ll be able to borrow.

• Mistake No. 4: Skipping The Home Inspection

Before making an offer on a home, it’s essential to have it inspected by a professional. This will help ensure that there are no significant issues with the property that could cost you a lot of money down the road. Many first-time buyers skip this step to save money, but it’s worth the investment.

• Mistake No. 5: Not Budgeting For Closing Costs

Another common mistake first-time buyers make is not budgeting for closing costs. These are the fees associated with obtaining your mortgage and can add up to several thousand dollars. Be sure to ask your lender about expected closing costs to plan accordingly.

• Mistake No. 6: Overlooking the extra costs of homeownership

Owning a home comes with many extra costs that many first-time buyers fail to consider. Property taxes, insurance, and maintenance can all add up and take a toll on your budget. Before buying a home, consider these additional costs in your budget.

2. What Are The First Things To Do Before You Buy A House?
3. Get Your Credit in Order

If you’re serious about buying a house, the first step is to get your credit in order. Lenders will pull your credit report when you apply for a mortgage, and you want to ensure there are no surprises. Check your credit report for errors and disputed items, and get them fixed before you apply for a mortgage.

2. Know What You Can Afford

Before shopping for a home, you must know how much you can afford. Several online calculators can help you estimate your monthly mortgage payment. Once you know how much you can afford to spend, you’ll be able to narrow down your search to homes that fit your budget.

3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the next step in the home-buying process. Once you’ve been pre-approved, a lender will give you a letter that indicates how much they are willing to lend you. This will give you an idea of what price range you should be shopping in.

4. Find a Real Estate Agent

When you start looking for homes, it’s a good idea to find an agent who can help you through the process. A good agent will know the local market and can help you find homes that fit your budget and needs. They can also offer advice on making an offer, negotiating with sellers, and closing on a home.

5. Start Shopping for a Home

Once you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage and have found a real estate agent, you’re ready to start shopping for a home. Several online resources can help you find homes for sale in your area. You can also drive around and look for For Sale signs.

6. Make an Offer on a Home

When you find the home you want to buy, it’s time to make an offer. Your real estate agent will help you determine how much to offer based on comparable sales in the area. 

3. Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Bought My First Home 
4. Know what you want in a home before you start looking. This will help you narrow your search and save time.

2. Stay within your budget to avoid being house poor. It’s essential to be comfortable with your monthly mortgage payment.

3. Find a real estate agent you trust who has your best interests in mind. They will be a valuable resource during the home-buying process.

4. Get your finances in order before you start looking for a home. This will help you get pre-approved for a mortgage and know how much you can afford to spend.
5. What is the Down Payment On A House?

You will typically need to make a down payment when you purchase a home. A down payment is a percentage of the home’s total purchase price, and it is typically given to the lender as a show of good faith. The size of your down payment will affect the interest rate you pay on your mortgage and the total amount of your monthly payments.

The minimum amount you will need to make on a home is 3.5% of the purchase price. However, you may need to make a larger down payment if you have a lower credit score or are purchasing a more expensive home. The average down payment on a home is 20%. 

5. Things not to do after closing on a house:
6. Don’t make any significant changes to your credit profile. This includes opening new lines of credit, closing existing accounts, or changing your name or address.

2. Don’t buy a new car. Or a boat, a motorcycle, or anything else that might appear on your credit report as a new loan.

3. Don’t quit your job. Lenders like to see stability, and a sudden change in employment status could jeopardize your loan.

4. Don’t move money around. Lenders will closely scrutinize your bank statements leading up to closing, looking for any unusual activity. 

Conclusion

Purchasing a home is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider before starting the process, like your budget, what you want in a home, and the housing market in the area you’re looking to buy. Once you’ve started looking for a home, finding a real estate agent you trust and staying within your budget is essential. And finally, don’t forget to negotiate.