Buying a house is a significant decision in one’s life. Not only does it include financial investment, but emotional involvement as well. As a result, many first-time homeowners let their emotions take control of their decisions.
If you are also house-hunting, avoid making the same mistake. Understand that the space you select will stay with you for decades. It’ll be the place where you’ll create trillions of memories, invite your family and friends over, watch your kids grow, and much more. So, you must keep a check on your emotions and implement some rational decisions.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you out. Below are some common mistakes that first-time home buyers make and how to avoid them.
- Set Realistic House Goals
Let’s be honest; most homeowners desire a luxurious dwelling place with a three-lined street, spacious kitchen, in-ground swimming pool, and whatnot. But here’s the thing, the more amenities you look for in a property, the higher will be its market value. You may or may not have the financial freedom to afford such real estate and end up hurting yourself with temptations.
And if you find yourself stuck on a particular property that is beyond your price range, you might feel enticed to borrow a high home loan. This could increase your financial burden and stress.
To avoid making this mistake, it would be best to set realistic house goals that fit your budget. For starters, you can look for a spacious 3 BHK house with a garden. Later, you can make necessary renovations to add luxury and convenience to your home. It will ensure you don’t end up with a loan that’s difficult to pay back.
- Neglecting Home Financing Options
Stating the obvious, buying a home is a heavy financial investment. It is not feasible for people to save such a huge amount. Thus, they rely on home financing options available at banks and other financial institutions. That’s where things get tricky.
It is not necessary that you and your selected banks are on the same page about your “financial affordability.” Lenders often consider several things before offering a mortgage. It includes credit score, employment status, repayment history, loan purpose, and more. Accordingly, they’ll suggest the principal amount and interest rate that you can avail.
However, different banks and lenders will suggest different amounts and interest rates. It is vital that you conduct a home loan comparison and select the one that best suits your needs. In fact, it also differs according to the house you are willing to buy, i.e., private property or flat. So, you must carefully evaluate all the financing options before signing the loan agreement.
- Doing House Hunting On Your Own
Thanks to digitalization, searching for your dream home has become pretty easy nowadays. With a few clicks, you’ll have a list of ready-to-move-in properties, condos, developing projects, and affordable housing. Though the information about the property is given on the website, when you go for a home inspection, it might not be as good as shown in the photographs.
Moreover, the seller may suddenly increase the price or impose new terms and conditions which were not disclosed before. As purchasing a house involves legalities, any changes in the terms will potentially affect the deal and time.
Therefore, working with real estate agents is often recommended when purchasing a property. They know the market conditions and the property’s actual value; thus, they help you find a home that suits your needs. They can further lower the burden of formalities involved in buying a house and streamline the entire process.
- Rushing To Make A Deal
Finally, when you find an ideal house to invest in, your first instinct might be to close the deal as soon as possible. Indeed, it is the right step to take as you don’t want to miss out on a great deal, but you must not rush the decision as well.
Before that, you should inspect the property thoroughly. Are there any plumbing issues? How old is the roof? Are there any foundation issues? Do the light switches work properly? Is there any odour?
Answers to all these questions will help you finalize your purchase decision. In addition, check whether the neighbourhood is safe and suitable for the elderly or kids in the house. Only when you are satisfied, finalize the deal and negotiate all the pointers to lower the purchase price of the home.
To Sum It All Up
Purchasing your dream home could easily get overwhelming. And while you dwell on all those emotions, you may end up making a decision that you’ll regret later on. To avoid such a scenario, you must keep in mind the mistakes discussed above and make a practical decision.
*Don’t forget to download my #FREE Lifestyle APP Live a Well-Designed Life
