As a first-time buyer, you run the risk of making mistakes, especially since everything is new to you! Don’t be worried; that’s why we’re here.
Continue reading to learn more about first-time home buyer blunders and how to avoid them.
Why do first time buyers make mistakes?
Because the home-buying process is so complicated, first-time buyers make mistakes.
It’s a lot of information to process, there are a lot of big decisions to make, and home buying mistakes are very easy to make.
Understanding the pressures for first time buyers
The housing market is already difficult to navigate, and first-time buyers face additional pressure.
Housing prices are rising, there are bidding wars, viewings can be difficult to come by, and so on. When you see a house you like, you must act quickly. All of the stress can add up and make buying a home far more difficult than it needs to be.
10 first time home buyer mistakes & how to avoid them
Sett Mortgages is here to make the home-buying process simple and stress-free for you.
So, here are ten first time buyer mistakes to avoid.
Not assessing how much you can afford
If you go into viewing houses and exploring the property market with an unrealistic budget, you will be disappointed and waste your time.
You must establish how much you can afford in order to create a rough budget for what you should be looking at. Sett Mortgages can assist you in working out how much you can afford and providing you with a maximum budget for your property search.
Shopping for houses before speaking to an expert
You will struggle with terminology, the process, the budget, and other issues if you go house shopping without first consulting an expert.
Speak with a mortgage broker or an estate agent to learn more about the process and to get started on your property journey.
Not understanding the house buying process
It’s brilliant if you find a property you like and can afford. However, many first-time buyers are unfamiliar with the complicated home-buying process.
Make sure you understand the process, including what documents you must provide, how to provide them, surveys required, what solicitors do, and so on. You will be in a better position to get your dream home if you understand the process.
Forgetting about the extra costs
One common and easy mistake is believing that the deposit is the only cost involved in purchasing a home. That, unfortunately, is not the case.
You’ll need money for solicitor fees, surveys, furniture, decorations, and moving costs, in addition to any unexpected costs that may arise during the process.
To avoid being in a tough situation, make sure you have some extra money saved or available.
Not checking your credit score
When you apply for a mortgage, lenders want to make sure you’re in a good financial situation and that lending to you is a good decision for them.
You may be less appealing to different lenders if you have a low credit score.
Check your credit score, and if it’s low, work on improving it so you have more lenders to choose from when applying for a mortgage.
Not researching the area and property
One of the most common mistakes is rushing into a home purchase without thoroughly researching the area and the property.
When you buy a house, you enter into a large contractual agreement, so you can’t back out if you don’t like it after a few days, or if a major issue that you didn’t notice arises. You’d have to sell it, which could leave you in negative equity and without a place to live.
To ensure you’d be happy living there, research the area by driving around it, walking around it, and searching online about it.
By investing in surveys, such as the home buyers survey, you are ensuring that the house is in good condition before you buy it.
Not be willing to compromise
When buying your first home, especially in today’s housing market, you may not be able to get everything you want.
One mistake that first-time buyers make is refusing to compromise on anything. As a result, they may never get on the market because the “perfect home” does not exist.
Consider:
- Being open to houses you might not normally look at
- Not focusing on decoration – you can change that!
- Visualising the space
- Taking into account future possibilities, such as extensions and renovations
- Recognise what you’re willing to compromise on
Failing to explore mortgage options
Any home buyer can obtain a mortgage in principle and investigate their own mortgage options. But not everyone does.
Make sure to look into all of your mortgage products, and consider speaking with a mortgage broker, as they often have access to more lenders than are publicly available. This could save you a significant amount of money.
Avoiding house surveys
Avoiding house surveys is a huge mistake. As said before, many people avoid taking surveys because they are unfamiliar with the home buying process.
Surveys investigate the house in greater depth – and check a variety of things that you cannot before purchasing it. For example, if you are purchasing an extremely old house, the structure may be a concern. When you spend so much money on something, you should have it inspected by a professional.
Explore your house survey options and be sure to strongly consider some for your upcoming home purchase.
Not speaking to a good mortgage advisor
If you do not speak with a good and reputable mortgage advisor, you risk not getting the best deal and becoming confused later in the house buyer journey.
Make sure you do your homework on your mortgage advisor, read their reviews, and ask them a lot of questions to see if they’re the right person to help you through this process.
How Sett Mortgages can help
Sett Mortgages is committed to assisting you throughout the entire home-buying process.
We can have as many conversations as you need to understand the process, assist you when viewing properties, help you in making an offer, and support you all the way until you have the keys.
Whether you’re buying a house for the first time, or you’re moving to your fifth home, we can help. Contact us today to begin the conversation and learn more.
