Buying your first home can be an exciting prospect whether it’s an existing home purchase or a new custom build with Southdown Homes. Obviously, you would want to buy a property that you can own and live in for the years to come. Doing a careful study of the real estate market and getting tips from experts are only a few things that you can do. However, you may still make mistakes and land up with the wrong decision. Awareness is the key to knowing the common errors that the first-timers make can help you to avoid them. If you want to know all about the common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make, we have a checklist for you.

Mistake #1: Not starting with a calculated budget

Unless you have a calculated budget to start with, you may end up wasting your time on seeing properties you cannot afford. For most of the first-timers, the goal is to find a place that they can easily afford. And this is probably the smartest thing to do because you can always upgrade later on. Even before you start looking, meet your banker to check the amount of loan you can procure. Even buying a great value home from a Utah home builder, you should still look at what is in your range of affordability. Consider your own resources to come up with a feasible budget.

Mistake #2: Not collaborating with an agent

If you are looking to cut down the cost, not hiring an agent is the last thing you should do. A professional real estate agent has the right expertise and experience to guide you. They know the market well and can help you find the best options within your budget and expectations. By saving a few dollars on their commission, you may end up losing thousands on a wrong deal.

Mistake #3: Not having clear goals and expectations 

As a first-timer, you may lack the clarity of what you really want and expect from your prospective home. Factors such as your family size, desirable location, budget, and preferences need to be considered while checking out the options. You can also seek the expert opinion or go through a home buying guide to have clear expectations right from the start. This will help you shortlist and see only the right properties rather than waste time on random ones.

Mistake #4: Using up all your savings 

Another common mistake that a majority of new home buyers make is using up all their savings to buy their first home. It is natural to feel enthusiastic and excited but you need to think practically as well. You may face an unexpected situation later on and not having any savings can cause huge trouble. Careful planning is something that you should not ignore.

Mistake #5: Not checking out all mortgage options

If you are not checking out the entire range of home loan programs and mortgage options, you are making a blunder. Not finding and comparing your options means that you may have to settle for a deal that may not be right. Just getting a mortgage without enough research is the worst thing to do. Proper research, on the other hand, can get you a mortgage plan that is relatively cheaper and easier to pay off. 

These are the mistakes that you need to avoid as a new home buyer. Avoiding these cuts off the hassles from the home buying process and gets you closer to your dream home.