Busting Home Buying Myths!!

We've all heard the hub bub in the media about how buying a home can destroy your finances, but as soon as you switch the channel, you hear the opposite!  What's fact and what's fiction?!
First you have to determine if buying a home is the right thing for YOUR situation.  Not your mother's, not your brother's, certainly not your Realtor's, but yours and yours alone.  
Consult a trusted real estate professional and ask questions about current home prices and trends.  A professional REALTOR is held to a code of ethics and should provide statistical data to you, if you wish.

Until, then, here are five common myths people commonly use as fact!

1.  "The Perfect Home Is Out There"  It may be!  But more commonly, it's a matter of compromise.  Many buyers tend to focus on the one thing a home doesn't have, rather than the 9 out of 10 things that it does have.  Decide up front, which features are deal breakers, and which ones would be nice to have.


2.  "The House Has To Speak To You"  Many people believe the home has to feel right when you walk through the door.  Companies spend billions of dollars every year to hire design consultants and staging professionals to ensure their home "speaks" to buyers.  Use a critical eye when viewing homes.  It's a process of elimination!  


3.  "The Listing Information is Always Accurate"  Listings are created by people.  People make mistakes!  Even with the best of intentions, REALTORS can accidentally misrepresent information.  Be on the safe side, measure the rooms for square footage, count the number of closets, get a home inspection.


4.  "You Should Buy as Much House as You Can Get"  Why?  Is it practical, either financially or otherwise, for a newlywed couple to buy a 4,000 square foot home, because they can afford it?  Not really.  Purchase a home so that you can live comfortably and enjoy your home, instead of working to pay the bills.


5.  "If Your Offer's Accepted Right Away, You Offered Too Much"  Not necessarily.  Buyer's remorse is a common occurrence- it's like cold feet at a wedding.  It's most likely the best decision, but people get nervous!  Just because your offer was accepted right away does not mean that you offered too much.  It may just mean that it's a buyer's market and sellers are ready to unload their homes!

Call me for all your real estate needs!  I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!