Home Buying Mistakes

Buying a home comes with many big decisions, and it can be both exciting as well as overwhelming. It can be easy to make a mistake in the process. Especially if you’re a first-time home buyer, you can potentially skip the buyer’s remorse by learning about mistakes home buyers make and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Thinking you can’t afford it

Many people who thought that buying the home they wanted was simply out of their reach are now enjoying a new lifestyle in their very own homes. Buying a home is the smartest financial decision you will ever make. In fact, most homeowners would be broke at retirement if it wasn’t for one saving grace — the equity in their homes. Furthermore, tax allowances favor home ownership.

Mistake #2: Not hiring a buyer’s agent to represent you

Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it is often the biggest, single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated. New technology, laws, procedures, and competition from other buyers require buyer agents to perform at an ever-increasing level of competence and professionalism. In addition, making the wrong decisions can end up costing you thousands of dollars. It doesn’t have to be this way!

Work with a buyer’s agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business and the local market. A buyer’s agent has a fiduciary duty to you. That means that he or she is loyal only to you and is obligated to look out for your best interests. A buyer’s agent can help you find the best home, the best lender, and the best home inspector in your area. That inspector should be an InterNACHI-certified home inspector because InterNACHI inspectors are the most qualified and  best-trained inspectors in the world.

Trying to buy a home without an agent or a qualified inspector is, well…unthinkable.

Mistake #3: Getting a cheap inspection

Buying a home is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make. This is no time to shop for a cheap inspection. The cost of a home inspection is small relative to the value of the home being inspected. The additional cost of hiring a certified inspector is almost insignificant by comparison. As a home buyer, you have recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals. Don’t stop now! Don’t let your real estate agent, a “patty-cake” inspector, or anyone else talk you into skimping here.

Contact SafeShield Inspections for your Houston Area Home Inspection Needs

Your future deserves the attention of a professional. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, or just “happily at home”, we invite you to consider SafeShield Inspections for your home inspection needs.Please contact Micah Stephens, InterNACHI-certified inspector, at (832) 953-6992 or email Micah@SafeShieldInspections.com. CLICK HERE for a free quote.

About the Author

Nick Gromicko is the founder of InterNACHI®, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, based in Boulder, Colorado. InterNACHI® is the world’s largest association of property inspectors — with one of the largest websites on the Internet at www.nachi.org — offering education, training, benefits and support to its members to help them succeed in the home inspection industry. Mr. Gromicko also serves as executive director of the Master Inspector Certification Board, which awards qualified property inspectors the title of Certified Master Inspector®, the industry’s highest professional designation.