It’s very exciting to tour a home you are thinking about purchasing. This is the moment you could first step into your future home…. where you are going to spend your life! In the excitement, you can make several mistakes that will ruin the tour and may cause you to dismiss the perfect home. Here are 6 common mistakes to avoid so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
1. Not Having An Agent – The listing agent is not there to help you. Remember, they are there for the seller and represent his best interest, which isn’t yours. The buyers agent is paid through the seller, so there’s no excuse for you to not have an expert there to represent you.
2. Bringing Your Kids – While they are going to live there with you, this is not the time to have them underfoot. Kids get bored and distracted. You’ll spend your time with your attention on them instead of focusing on the home and making sure it’s perfect. It’s a big decision and you need to be distraction free.
3. Checking Your Cellphone – Speaking of distraction free, turn off your cellphone. Millennials were born with cellphones in their hands, and most people always have them on. I’m sure it was very helpful giving you the directions to get there, but now it’s time to focus on the house. Everything can wait the 30 minutes or so that you are looking around.
4. Bringing Family or Friends – Sure Mom and Dad will want to help out, especially if they are assisting financially, but as an adult and soon-to-be homeowner, you need to be an adult and make a choice for yourself. The fact of the matter is that the more people who look, the more advice and opinions you will get. This is your home, so keep the first visit to yourself. You can always bring Mom and Dad for a second walk-through on the houses you are really interested in. Your the one who has to live there, so you have to be the one to choose.
5. Eliminating An Ugly House – So it’s not our style. Weren’t you planning to redecorate with your own decor anyway? The lime green walls in the bedroom can be painted for a measly $30. When you have the right floor plan, price and location the color of the walls that are easily changed anyway aren’t really a problem. These “fixer uppers” are usually lowered price too, so it’s usually worth it to find that diamond in the rough.
6. Not Trusting Your Agent- If you don’t trust your agent, you signed with the wrong agent! This is someone who is here to help you make the best decision for you. Be sure you have a buyers agreement with an agent you believe will have your back. Plan a day of viewing homes with your agent and be sure to ask for information on the area as well as the house. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find out how your agent does business. Your agent works for you.
You don’t want to regret anything in the purchase of your home. Be sure to education yourself and go in aware and educated. For more information, call Helen today at 847.967.0022 or email [email protected].