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Buying a house is no small feat, so here are first time homebuyer tips I wish I had when I first started the process of trying to buy a home.
The last four years, I’ve had the goal of buying a house. I moved back home, like many, when COVID hit. Four years later and I’ve finally settled on buying a single family home to live in. I’ve made the decision, but still haven’t found the house, though I’ve been close.
I’m a thinker, one might say an over-thinker, so I am thorough. I do my research and try to find the best way to do something. Naturally I felt prepared going into the whole process, even though I didn’t know it all, I was confident I could learn.
I started the process and man was it a slap in the face. Nobody told me how draining this whole process could be. Here are some overlooked first time homebuyer tips.
First Time Homebuyer Tips
1. No matter how prepared you feel as a first time homebuyer, there will be more to learn.
Remember, you haven’t done this before and everyone has something they can teach you. Even if you’re used to knowing your facts and understanding the process, it’s okay to not know it all. Let people help you and guide you, but do your research and make sure their guidance aligns with your goals.
The biggest thing that helped me was taking notes. I know, it’s old school, some of you probably haven’t taken notes since high school, but it’s valuable. This is one of the first time homebuyer tips that no one told me, probably because it almost seems silly, but it’s helpful.
When I met with the bank, I walked in there with a new notebook. Man did it come in handy. I was learning so much. And let me tell you, I have referenced this notebook almost daily since that first meeting.
I took notes on the first conversation with my realtor and every bank I have talked to since. From different quotes and interest rates, they’re all in one spot.
If you’re gonna shop around, which I highly recommend you do, you’re going to be getting a lot of information. Notes allow you to look back on that info and remember who told you what. You can look back on the different programs each bank has and compare notes from each bank.
It may seem like extra work, but my notebook has become my best friend through this whole process. Click here for the notebook I have been using through this process.
2. Keep an open mind.
Don’t have a one track mind. Try to keep your mind open to all of the possibilities. You may not see the potential in a house, but try to look at it from a different angle. Don’t see it for what is right in front of you, see it for what it can be. Kinda ironic because usually we’re being told to take what’s in front of us for what it is, but houses are different, we’re not dating the house, you’re making it your home.
Obviously if there are major structural damages or something large that would need repairs, you may not have the time or resources to see the potential.
For a structurally sound house, remember the paint and furniture isn’t permanent. You can make it anything you want it to be. As a first time homebuyer it may be hard to see the potential of a house because you’ve never had your own house to make yours, so try to get creative with your imagination here.
3. Remember everyone is trying to sell you something.
There are genuine people out there who want to help you, but at the end of the day they all have a job to do and that is to sell you something. Your real estate agent is selling you a house, your mortgage officer is selling you a mortgage, they are going to do whatever they can to get the job done.
With that being said, make sure you interview and find a quality real estate agent you trust to guide you on this journey. Don’t be afraid to ask questions up front and really get a feel for your agent. If something doesn’t feel right, get a new agent. You don’t have to agree to work with the first agent you talk to.
Remember no matter how nice the people at the bank are, they are also selling you something. Not to say they aren’t good people, but they may tell you want you want to hear to try to get you to go with their bank or mortgage company.
Moral of the story; do your own research and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Speaking up for yourself may save you thousands of dollars.
4. Don’t fall in love with a house.
I feel like we’ve all heard this one, but it’s true. No matter how “in the bag” you think a deal is for you, don’t count on it. I was sure a deal was going through, I was ecstatic I finally had the purchase contract and would finally be a homeowner, only to get a phone call that the seller backed out. You never know what will happen and this can be highly discouraging as a first time homebuyer.
You may find the house of your dreams and the sale could fall through, but remind yourself that something better will work out. Every time I’ve been bummed about a house not working out, an even better one that fits my needs has come along.
Now I still haven’t found the one yet, but I’m not lying when I say I’m grateful that the house I put my first offer in on, didn’t work out because better ones have come along. They haven’t worked out either, but I’m trusting the right one will. And when it does, y’all will hear all about it.
5. Relax, it will all work out.
I like to tell myself that the universe, god, whatever you believe in has a plan. It’s a cliche, but “rejection is redirection.” It’s hard to let go sometimes, but I’m sure there have been times in your life where you look back and are glad something didn’t work out. Trust that this will be true with your house journey too.
Summary
Now that you have my top five first time homebuyer tips, I hope you have more confidence and feel more prepared for your own home buying journey. It can be stressful, but have fun with it. You only get to be a first time homebuyer once, so lean into it, learn the process, embrace the unknown and find the house that you’ll make your home.
Stay tuned on my journey to home ownership and renovating and making a house my home at sierrasday.com/house
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