What I Didn't Expect When Buying a Home

Everyone has their own home buying journey. I have heard great success stories and horror stories alike. Here are 3 things I didn’t expect when buying a home.

1.       Everyone will give you their opinion.

Only consult people you trust on your home buying experience to cut out the extra noise.

 

Naturally, we told almost everyone that we were house hunting and how it was going. Our friends and family wanted to support us by giving us advice and sharing their experience. Overall, I didn’t mind, but what ended up happening is EVERYONE wanted to give us their two sense. I mean from your hair dresser, dentist, coworkers, grandparents, and more. Don’t go to that city, its too far. That city has the best schools. You don’t want well water. You definitely want a well. Oil is cheap. Gas is better. Old houses are built better. Old houses have problems. And on, and on, and on.

 

 

What I would have done is ask a few close friends only. People who live in the area were the most helpful. They were able to tell us about the busiest streets, history of the neighborhood, and if they thought the prices were reasonable for the area.

2.       Just because you signed paperwork, it doesn’t mean the house is yours.



Don't start packing until you have the keys in your hand.

 

In one situation we heard “Congratulations, your offer has been accepted!”. Five hours later, the seller went with a higher offer and we didn’t get a chance to make a better offer.

I can’t say what I would have done differently because we did EVERYTHING THEY ASKED. I can only say that I wish we didn’t tell friends and family. We celebrated when we heard and let everyone know the good news. It was hard to tell our friends 5 hours later that we had lost out. Even though it is an exciting moment, maybe wait until the seller signs the paperwork or better yet when you have the keys in your hand.

3.       You will be pressured to make quick decisions.

Don't become emotional when making a quick decision about a house.

 

In our experience, when a house is updated and priced right it will go on the market on Friday and off the market on Sunday. I didn’t expect to feel so pressured to make a decision. We would look a house for thirty minutes and then need to decide if we wanted to put in an offer right at that moment.

 

What I learned is that when I needed to make a quick decision, to look at it as a business investment and not an emotional investment. Instead of saying, well I love the countertops and the pool will be great in the summer, we said things like this is a desirable neighborhood, the house is on a cul-de-sac, and the windows and roof are new. Putting into perspective the value of the property made it easier to decide to put in an offer.

After putting in offers four times and being denied the first three times, we should close on our house in June if all things go well. It's very 1970s and I couldn't be more excited about it! Check back for updates!