Things People Regret About Buying a Home

Buying a home is an exciting experience but it can also trigger uncertainty. Here are some common mistakes that first time home buyers make.

1. Not having the septic system inspected.
   • Jim was very excited on his home purchase and within 3 months of moving in he had problems.  There were roots growing in the pipes causing flushing problems!  Be sure and have a thorough home inspection.
2. Not reading the fine print of the HOA agreement.
   • Make sure you read the fine print to avoid any surprises.  Can you have chickens or a fence? Can covenants be changed?
3. Not meeting the neighbors before the purchase
   • It’s a good idea to meet your neighbors beforehand and get a feel for the neighborhood.  Mark and Lisa bought a house, and then realized the neighbor’s dog barks all night!
4. Not having the previous owners remove old appliances
   • Make sure that the appliances are inspected and any faulty appliances are removed by the previous owner before the closing.  You don’t want to pay to have someone else’s junk hauled away!
5. Not realistically weighing the expense
   • Just because a bank approves you to purchase a home up to a certain price doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to pay that much. Make sure you buy a home that you can easily make the monthly mortgage payments and utility bills.  Especially if you go from a two-income family down to one.
6. Not negotiating the price
   • Make sure your realtor does a market analysis so you know the right price to offer.  Has it been on the market a long time? Are there other offers.  Knowledge is valuable!   It’s always good to sleep on a big decision to make sure you are mentally prepared for this new chapter.