6 common house-hunting mistakes to avoid Westend61/Getty Images
Spending too much money on a home makes your life harder after closing.
Not using a real estate agent or getting preapproved puts you at a disadvantage compared to other buyers.
Skipping the inspection before closing can leave you with expensive repairs later.
Here are some common house-hunting mistakes plus tips for avoiding them.
1. Looking outside of your price range
This one may seem like a no-brainer. Don t buy a house that s too expensive for you, right? But consider what it really means to borrow too much. The worst mistake, in my opinion, is working to keep your house, Carolyn Morganbesser, Senior Manager of Mortgage Originations at Affinity Federal Credit Union, told Insider. There s no room for the movies or to go out to dinner, because your mortgage payment is higher than you anticipated.
Your needs vs. wants in a house
Morganbesser recommended making a list of things you want in a house. Split your list into must-haves, things that would be nice to have, and things you can do without. For example, maybe you
need three bedrooms,
would like a big back yard, and could go with or without a homeowner s association.
Once you know your priorities, you ll be better prepared to move quickly and make a bid on the right house.
Top priorities when choosing a house
When you buy a home, certain factors are non-negotiable for almost everyone. You ll need to figure out your stance on the following issues before buying: