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How
to Buy Your First Home... the Easy Way! Avoid the 10 Most Common, Painful, Frustrating
Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make.
Richard
Justiss
Buying a residence can be a stressful experience. It isn’t unusual to experience a
roller coaster of emotions while finding the right place, securing the loan and finally
moving in. For most of us, the first time home purchase is the largest investment
we’ve ever considered. The emotions of purchasing something so expensive and personal
can often cloud our business judgment.
Most home purchasers do little or no research before they invest their nest egg.
Doesn’t it make sense to become as completely informed as possible before you buy
your first home? This special report is designed to help you avoid 10 common and crucial
mistakes. The right real estate professional can help you make good sound business
decisions based on your personal situation.
1. Inspect,
Inspect and Inspect- Go over the inspection report with a fine tooth comb. Make sure the
report was done by a professional organization. For condo purchases go over the
CC&R’s, By-Laws, and Association Fees. Don’t take anything for granted...
inspect everything!
2. Imagine the Property Vacant- Your furnishings and decorations will be the ones filling
this new residence. Don’t be swayed by beautiful furniture; it leaves with the owner.
3. Income + Lifestyle = Mortgage Payment- Sit down with your professional real estate
agent and honestly discuss your income level and living expenses. Take into account future
considerations, children, add-ons, amenities, and fix-ups. Your dream home is certainly
worth a sacrifice but don’t mortgage your entire future.
4. View Several Homes- See at least 7-10 properties. Don’t move too slow but
don’t move on the first property you see. With your agent’s help you should be
able to view enough properties to get a good overall perspective of the home market. When
you find the right property all the leg work will be worth it.
5. Utilize Your Team- By aligning yourself with the right real estate professional you
will have an entire team at your disposal. Utilize your lender, title rep and agent. Each
of them should work hand in hand for your benefit. Explore all the options before you
sign.
6. Be Columbo- Check out all costs and expenses before you sign. Utilities, taxes,
insurance, maintenance and home owner dues if applicable. Make sure all utilities (gas,
electricity, and water) are on during your walk-through so you can inspect everything in
working order. Ask lots of questions and be very detail conscious.
7. Do a Final Walk-Through- Visit the property after all furnishings have been moved out
to be sure there are no surprises. Be absolutely positive the property was left exactly as
you had agreed upon in the contract. Things that could have been spotted in a final
walk-through are often unintentionally overlooked.
8. Plan For Flexibility- Closing dates are not written in stone. Allow for contingencies
and have a back-up plan. If you or the sellers need a little more time to conclude the
final arrangements, don’t let these delays upset or frustrate you. These types of
circumstances are not uncommon in a real estate transaction.
9. If It’s Not In Writing, It Doesn’t Exist- All promises and discussions should
be in writing. Don’t make any assumptions or believe any assurances. Even the best
intentions can be misinterpreted. Have your professional keep an ongoing log in writing of
all discussions and get the seller’s written approval on all agreements.
10. Loyalty Breeds Loyalty- Be open, honest and up front with your team. Hard feelings and
disloyalty will cause head aches, delays or may even keep you from getting into the home
you worked so hard to locate. Take the time to select the right team in the beginning and
your first home purchase will be a pleasing and memorable experience.
I sincerely hope these tips and ideas are of value to you. If there is any way I can be of
service please contact my office. I would consider it a privilege to be of service to you!
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