10 "Do’s & Don’ts" for Home Buyers

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Avoiding common mistakes can make the home buying process simpler and less stressful. Keep the following in mind to help improve your home-buying experience:
  1. Do Your Homework - Enter the market well-prepared by researching location, school district, deed restrictions and taxes.
  2. Don't Try To Make a Shrewd Investment - Focus on finding the best place for you and your family to live rather than trying to predict the real estate market.
  3. Location, Location, Location - Consider what part of town you would like to live in and avoid homes located on busy streets.
  4. Don't Overlook an Inferior Floor Plan for an Attractive Exterior - Choose a great floor plan over a great exterior because you'll spend far more time inside the house than outside.
  5. Don't Overlook How the Home Will Function For Your Family - Consider features that are most important to your family and choose a home that will meet those needs.
  6. Always Have the Home Properly Inspected When Buying a Resale - Hire a state-licensed, professional inspector to evaluate the home's true condition, which could save you thousands of dollars in repairs and maintenance.
  7. Always Have the Home Properly Inspected When Buying a New Home - Research the number of homes sold, homeowner satisfaction, years in business, industry recognition and warranties offered.
  8. Avoid Not Getting What You Want Because You're Impatient - If it's a used home, allow time to negotiate and get the best deal possible. Refusing to rush the process could save you $5,000 on the purchase price.
  9. Avoid Waiting For a Better Time to Buy Based on the Market and Interest Rates - History shows that those who purchased homes and kept them for three to five years or more did better than those who didn't. Waiting is one of the biggest mistakes a home buyer can make.
  10. Not Buying At All - The biggest home buying mistake is not buying at all. Buying a home will give you a place to call your own and allow you to take advantage of tax breaks and build equity.

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