To the great relief of many people, both inside and outside the real estate industry, it seems like the worst part of the sagging real estate market could be behind us. It’s dangerous business attempting to foretell market movements (see below) but at least in some areas of the country it does look as if buyers are beginning to come out of their lengthy hibernation. If you are thinking about buying property, here are the top ten problems that you should steer clear of before taking the plunge.

1. Failing to Obtain Home Loan Pre-approval Documentation Getting pre-approval for a home loan is an important first step for potential buyers. Getting a mortgage pre-approval will give you a much better idea of the total loan amount you can readily borrow. Being pre-approved also indicates that you are serious about buying. Most sellers with worthwhile homes won’t even bother considering a purchase offer unless it is accompanied by confirmation of loan pre-approval. Additionally, should any problems with your credit worthiness crop up it is much better to recognize them at the start of the process, while you still have time to take action to rectify them. Encountering a credit problem after you have already committed to a home purchase can be quite upsetting.

2. Not Hiring a Buyer’s Agent Unless other arrangements are made, with nearly all full service real estate companies, the buyer’s agent works for you at no cost to you. His or her commission is paid by the seller’s broker after the sale closes. Hence, it is in your best interest to hire your own representation - a buyer’s agent - instead of working with the seller’s agent. The seller’s agent is obligated by law to act in the seller’s best interest, not yours. By using the services of a buyer’s agent you can level the playing field since a buyer’s agent is required to serve in your best interest.

3. Hiring the Wrong Real Estate Agent Before working with a buyer’s agent, you should interview several different agents. Ask for the names of previous clients so you can check references. Don’t limit yourself to agents with large brand name offices or so called “million-dollar” agents. Also, before hiring a friend or family member who is an agent, remember that if you are dissatisfied with the service being provided, it is much easier to drop an agent with whom you have no personal ties.

4. Not Understanding the Length of Time the Process Takes Buyers, and sellers, sometimes believe that the home buying process is shorter than it really is. There are a wide range of unforeseen problems that can result in delays. Sellers can drag their feet on formally accepting an offer, you may have problems selling your present house, the loan processing may be held up, repairs may need to be completed, problems with obtaining a clear title to the property may arise, etc. Murphy’s Law always seems to surface when trying to close a deal promptly. Be sure to allow at least two to three months to complete the transaction.

5. Believing the Appraisal and/or the Tax Assessment Are Equal to the Actual Value. Appraisals and tax assessments are designed to be objective approximations of value. Still, different appraisers can come up with notably different valuations. Buyers should request that their agent perform a comparative market analysis (CMA) to get a better idea of the house’s current market value before submitting an offer to buy.

6. Attempting to Time the Variations in the Real Estate Market Trying to time a purchase with when the market has hit rock bottom is nearly impossible. I would be an extremely rich man if I had that ability! Both buyers and sellers should realize that a sound real estate investment is always a long-term venture.

7. Ignoring Reality When Looking for Your Dream Home When buying a home, if you only follow your heart and not your head, you will most likely be in for some ugly surprises. That magnificent home may appear to be your dream home, but make sure you bear in mind everything involved. Take into account such unexciting issues as the effect a larger mortgage payment might have on your resources, commuting distances, the availability of local schools and shopping facilities, the effect of property taxes and homeowner association in addition to other quality-of-life aspects of home ownership. That extraordinary house may not be worth the headaches it causes for you and your family.

8. Forgetting That Timing Is Everything As you can probably imagine, paying double mortgage payments can be extremely tricky to deal with. When considering selling your present home and purchasing another, remember that the sale of your present home is the more essential of the two transactions. If you would be unable to make payments on two mortgages, If at all possible, try to arrange for the sale of your present home before committing to buy a new one.

9. Not Reviewing the Purchase Contract. Keep in mind that a purchase contract is a legally binding document. Failing to understand what you’re agreeing to can be a painful mistake. Read the document thoroughly prior to signing and request clarification if there is something you are not sure about. Do not be afraid to run it by your attorney if you wish. Be certain that it contains everything you it should, including which party is paying for what. Verbal commitments should be included, in writing, in the contract. Ensure that your agent takes an active role in the writing and negotiation of the contract. Hurrying through this step may add delays and result in financial and emotional pain.

10. Not Conducting a Criminal Search for the New Location. Agents in most parts of the country are not obligated to notify buyers if there is a sex offender or other illegal activity in the neighborhood. Contact the local police department or sheriff’s office to find out how to gain access to local sex offender and related criminal databases. In addition, the internet has made this information much easier to obtain in recent years. There are many online resources for locating this information. Visit the website www.backgroundcheckpoint.com for information about several of these investigative resources.

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