5 Biggest Home Buyer Mistakes

When you’re a first-time buyer, the home buying process can feel complicated and unfamiliar. It can be easy to overlook some important steps if you don’t know what to keep an eye out for. However, during the home buying process, you want to be as prepared and cautious as possible. Simple mistakes could lead to missing out on your dream home. To give yourself the best shot at landing the perfect home, here are some common buyer mistakes to avoid:  

1. Not Getting Pre-Approved

If you’re serious about buying a home, getting pre-approved is the very first step you’ll need to take. It not only determines what kind of home you can afford but it’s also required to submit an offer. Pre-approval shows the home seller that you are serious and qualified to buy their home. Time is of the essence when you’re house hunting and if you find a home that checks off everything on your list, you’ll need to be ready to move fast. Pre-approval allows you to do that.

2. Not Working With a Realtor

Working with an experienced real estate professional will give you the best chance of becoming a homeowner. They’ll be able to guide you through the process, help you evaluate pricing, negotiate on your behalf, and handle all of the documentation. Buying a home is no easy task and many ambitious home buyers think they don’t need an agent to tackle it. Even if you think you’re super prepared, things can go awry during the process and a Realtor will be able to advise you on the best next steps.

3. Waiving the Home Inspection

A home inspection helps you verify that the home is structurally sound and that there are no major issues or repairs that need to be made. Imagine waiving your inspection contingency only to find out that the foundation needs $60,000 worth of repairs after the home sale – that won’t feel good. Some home buyers think that waiving the inspection makes their offer more appealing, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

4. Not Researching the Neighborhood

When you move into a home, you become a part of that neighborhood community so it’s incredibly important that you do your due diligence before deciding on a home. Drive around the neighborhood during the day and during the night time to get a good feel for it. Take note of the nearby restaurants, grocery shops, and transportation.

5. Waiting Too Long to Make an Offer

When you wait too long to make an offer on a home, you run the risk of another eager home buyer getting their offer accepted instead. Even though things are slowing down, we’re still in what’s considered a seller’s market. If a home has caught your eye, it has likely generated other interest as well. It’s best to submit your offer on a home as soon as you can.

Buying a home is one of the most rewarding life milestones! If you’re just starting out on your home-buying journey and have any questions, give us a call at 562.896.2456.

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About the Author

Shannon Jones has been selling real estate since 1998 and specializes in listing and marketing homes. She has consistently been one of the top Realtors in the Long Beach area. Prior to her award-winning career in real estate with the Shannon jones Team, Shannon has had successful careers in journalism and public relations. She holds a bachelors degree from UC Irvine and a masters degree from UC Berkeley. Shannon holds E-Pro, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert), and PSC (Pre-Foreclosure Specialist) certifications. Shannon is very personable and maintains a very strong moral compass, always putting the best interest of home buyers/sellers above monetary goals. A California native, Shannon enjoys gardening, travel, reading, cooking and poker when she’s not selling homes MY DESIGNATIONS Lic# 01247705 | CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) | E-Pro | PSC (Pre-Foreclosure Specialist) MY SERVICE AREAS Anaheim Bellflower Buena Park Carson Cerritos Cypress Downey Fountain Valley Garden Grove Huntington Beach La Palma Lakewood Long Beach Los Alamitos Los Angeles County Norwalk Orange County Rossmoor San Pedro Seal Beach Signal Hill South Bay Westminster