There are few purchases in life that carry the financial and psychological weight of buying a home.  Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing your home and your life after the kids have gone, it’s important to understand the ground rules for success in the world of buying a home.

Making the wrong decision buying a home can have devastating and long-lasting effects while making a wise decision in home buying can greatly enhance the overall value of the investment.  It is necessary to learn all you can about the world of home buying and mortgages before setting out to purchase the home of your dreams.

While there are plenty of websites designed to help first-time homeowners learn all they can, most financial experts say that there is no substitute for the good old one-on-one teaching. Fortunately, most mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and real estate agents will be able to provide this kind of one-on-one experience.

When buying a home it’s often best to use a systematic approach as this is often the best way to be sure that all decisions are based on information and reason, not on impulse or emotion.  Buying a home can be an emotional process, nevertheless, it’s imperative to keep your emotions under control and not let them cloud your judgment

There are five basic ground rules we educate our students at RealSuccess when buying a home and shopping smart.

1- Get your financing before you get your home.

There are few things in life as disappointing as losing out on the home of your dreams due to not being able to secure funding.  While the desire to get out there and search for that great home is understandable, it is vital to line up the financing you’ll need before you start shopping for a home.

Getting the financing ahead of time has a number of important advantages, including knowing how much you can buy and gaining more respect from the listing agents.  By knowing how much home you can afford before you shop you will avoid wasting your time looking at unaffordable properties and the listing agent will be more than willing to show you the homes in your price range.

It is also important to take a good look at the various types of mortgages on the market before getting started in the home buying process.  These days, mortgages have more options than the typical 15 or 30 years. For that reason, potential home buyers need to understand how each type of mortgage works and to gauge which mortgage is the best choice for their needs.

2- Look at the community, not just the home.

It is a good idea to look at the entire community, instead of focusing on a single home. This can be a particularly important thing to consider for those moving to a new metropolitan area, as these buyers will be unfamiliar with the local climate and lifestyle.  It’s crucial to determine the areas of town that are most desirable and to consider things like distance from work and local shopping opportunities.

We have all heard that location is the key consideration when it comes to real estate, and that is certainly the case.  Buying a house in the wrong area can be a big mistake and can result in a lack of profit or growth. Potential buyers can learn a great deal about the nature of the various neighborhoods simply by driving around town, as well as talking to local residents.

3- Be fair with your first offer.

Trying to lowball a seller on the first offer can backfire, as can paying too much. It’s important to carefully evaluate the local market and compare the asking price of the home with similar homes sold in the neighborhood. 

Comparing the sales of comparable homes, what are known as “comps” in the industry, is one of the best ways to determine what is fair and to make sure that you neither overpay or underbid on the property.

4- Always get a home inspection.

Always investigate the home for any possible defects before making an offer.  Compared to the cost of the average home, the price of a quality home inspection is virtually negligible. Hence, get a good home inspection done before you buy.

To find the best home inspector, it’s a good idea to seek out word of mouth referrals as many of the best home inspectors rely on word of mouth advertising.

5- Do not alienate the sellers of the home.

Many real estate deals have fallen apart due to the personal animosity of the buyer and the seller.   Avoid alienating the seller of the home during the process or nitpicking at every little detail during the sale. 

Keeping the goodwill of the seller will help the transaction go smoothly and it will provide the best environment for both the seller and buyer to negotiate a deal.