| Many home buyers rush into a home purchase | | | | how much time it takes, and how much gas you |
| without getting enough information. A home | | | | buy. Your happiness outweighs the home's |
| purchase, probably the one of the biggest | | | | amenities. Calculate gas expenditure savings for a |
| investments of your life, needs informed and | | | | closer home and add this amount to your possible |
| cautious consideration. Don't let impulsiveness or | | | | mortgage payment. |
| ignorance ruin your enjoyable home search and | | | | 9. Don't forget to check zoning and county |
| purchase. | | | | planning plans. Know what the current zoning |
| Here are 14 common home buyer's mistakes to | | | | allows you to do and what the planed zoning |
| avoid: | | | | around the property will bring. You need to know |
| 1. Don't wait to talk to a mortgage lender and | | | | if an airport, freeway, or apartment buildings will |
| check your credit. Take care of any credit issues | | | | be built nearby. |
| and prepare your finances to meet all the | | | | 10. Don't pay more than you need to buy a |
| mortgage requirements. Make sure you satisfy all | | | | house. Research the sales prices yourself of |
| six credit requirements, not just a good credit | | | | recent sales. Let an agent guide you, not sell you. |
| score. | | | | Many buyers offer more than they need to |
| 2. Don't wait too long to buy. Many renters pay | | | | because they fall in love with a particular home. |
| more for an apartment than they would pay for | | | | 11. Don't pay too much for financing. Get your |
| a mortgage payment. | | | | credit in good shape before you start looking for |
| 3. Don't buy more house than you can afford. | | | | a home. Find out what price range you qualify for |
| Keep your payments within reason and have a | | | | and arrange financing so you can make offers. |
| backup plan for emergencies. Even though you | | | | Before you sign any mortgage papers, shop for |
| qualify for a certain mortgage amount, you must | | | | the best terms. Many home buyers, grateful that |
| feel comfortable with the payment. | | | | they qualify, overpay mortgage costs and |
| 4. Don't fall in love with the home for all the | | | | interest. |
| wrong reasons. Even though I mostly tell home | | | | 12. Don't forget to get a home inspection from an |
| sellers to use home staging strategies to sell for | | | | impartial third-party. Don't just rely on your |
| top dollar, my advice to home buyers is to look | | | | agent's referral. One agent we worked with was |
| past all the staged glamour. Look at the bones of | | | | married to the home inspector she recommended. |
| fixer houses to see if you can turn an ugly house | | | | 13. Don't misunderstand what comes with the |
| into a dollhouse. | | | | property. In some states, leaving the refrigerator |
| 5. Don't work with the listing agent or the wrong | | | | is customary. However, in many other locations, |
| buyer's agent. Get your own agent who | | | | the stove and refrigerator must be included in the |
| represents your interest, one who listens to your | | | | sale contact as personal property that stays in |
| needs. However, if you're an experienced investor | | | | the home. |
| who knows how to buy houses, sometimes you | | | | 14. Don't put up a "Non-Refundable" earnest |
| can save money working with the listing agent by | | | | money deposit. Don't let a hot seller's market or |
| asking for a discounted selling commission. | | | | your agent's pressures convince you to put up a |
| 6. Don't buy in a neighborhood you don't know. | | | | non-refundable deposit. |
| Check at night to see what activities take place. | | | | Always leave yourself a way out of any purchase |
| Ask the neighbors and the local law enforcement | | | | contract until you get your home inspection and |
| about crime statistics. | | | | have time to fully investigate the property, |
| 7. Don't buy a home with an incurable defect, | | | | neighborhood, and financing. Inform yourself with |
| such as: irreparable structural damage, traffic | | | | good home purchase information. |
| noise, near electrical or sewage pump stations, | | | | Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All |
| near a mini-market with people hanging around, | | | | rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its |
| insufficient parking, or poor floor plan. | | | | entirety with the following author's information |
| 8. Don't buy too far away from work. Drive the | | | | with live links only. |
| route during rush hour to test how you will feel, | | | | |