We've all bought things that we've later regretted: Be they those high-waisted jeans, pumpkin-spiced potato chips (they exist!), or the $189 electronic toothbrush your dentist said you had to have. At least the money wasted wasn't a life changer.
But what if you paid too much for a car and later realized you couldn't afford it? That can amount to a significant financial hit. Now just think about the home-buying process. It's more complicated than all those other purchases combined.
If you're a first-time homebuyer, buying a house can be positively overwhelming. With an agent by your side to guide you through the process, you'll make it through just fine — but you might want to be aware of these rookie mistakes. If you're searching for homes for sale in San Francisco, CA, where the market is ultracompetitive, making one of these mistakes could end up costing you big time.
Making one of these mistakes could cost you:
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1. Getting too emotionally attached
You're about to purchase what's probably the most expensive item you've ever bought. So this advice from Chris Leavitt, a real estate broker with Douglas Elliman and star of Million Dollar Listing Miami, may be easier said than done: "Relax and don't get too attached. There will always be another house if you lose one."
Try finding "several homes you love so that you're not too emotionally invested in one," suggests Tali Raphaely, president of Armour Title Co.
2. Finding the home yourself
We know you're going to browse Trulia to find homes for sale in your desired location. But don't rely on just your brilliant research skills. Finding your own home is like "diagnosing yourself of an illness," says Mirella Nazarian, partner associate of Omega Group Los Angeles.
"Let your agent vet the homes for you," she says. A good real estate agent might find you properties that aren't yet on the market. And of the homes that are on the market, your agent should be able to tell you "what the home looks like, where it's situated, the Walk Score, and the price per square foot in the neighborhood."
3. Going directly to the listing agent
If you've ever played Monopoly, there's a card you might pick (a bad one) that says, "Do not pass go. Do not collect $200." It means you did something wrong and now must pay the penalty.
The same applies if you go directly to a listing agent who is hired by and represents the seller, not you. "Unless [the listing agent] is someone you have worked with or know personally and know they are an amazing agent, this is a big no-no," says Nazarian.
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