Posts in category 'For Buyers'
21
Why Waiting for 3% Rates to Come Back Around Could Cost You as a Homebuyer
There's a saying in real estate: "Date the rate, marry the house." But lately, some buyers aren't even swiping right unless the rate starts with a two.
A new Real Estate News survey reveals that 1 in 4 would-be buyers say they're sitting out until mortgage rates drop below 3%. Not 5%. Not even 4%. Three. The kind of rates economists are calling "very unlikely" in the foreseeable future.
Now, if you're a buyer who's actually in the market right now—or thinking about jumping in—it's easy to wonder if rates should be lower or whether waiting might be the smarter move.
But consider this: that 25% of would-be buyers sitting on the sidelines is what makes it a good time for you to ju...
6
8 Ways to Size Up a Neighborhood Before You Buy a House There
Finding the perfect house is exciting, but realizing the neighborhood isn't a perfect fit for you after you've moved in…not so great. Maybe the street turns into a speedway at rush hour. Maybe the neighbor's dog thinks barking is a competitive sport. Or maybe it just doesn't feel right, and you can't quite put your finger on why. Either way, it's a hard thing to fix once you've signed the papers and unpacked the boxes.
So before you fall completely in love with a house, make sure you're also feeling good about where it's located. A little extra effort up front can save you from a lot of frustration later. Taking the time to really explore the area—not just th...
6
6 Odd Things To Bring Along When You're Sizing Up Homes To Buy
A recent article suggested an unconventional house-hunting tip for buyers: bring a dinner plate and a clothes hanger along when touring homes. The logic? Use the plate to check cabinet depth and the hanger to gauge closet space.
If you're wondering why a good old-fashioned tape measure wouldn't suffice, you're not alone. But at the same time, it's kind of practical…if you can get past the befuddled stare of your real estate agent as you walk up to the house looking like you're walking up to the register at HomeGoods.
Actually, come to think of it, that might spice up the whole homebuying process! And after all, a tape measure tells you dimensions, but it doesn't always tell you how something feels in a space. So why stop with plates and hangers?
Here are 6 other offbeat things you could bring on a home tour to help decide whether a house truly fits your life:
1) Your Phone Charger
We've all played the bedtime tug-of-war with a charger cord that's juuust a few inches too short. So bring your actual charger to a showing, plug it in, and do a little test run to see if it can reach your bed from the nearest outlet. Will you be able to doom-scroll comfortably, or are you in for nightly cable gymnastics?
2) Your Laundry Basket
Laundry isn't fun to begin with, so the last thing you want is to deal with a hallway or stairwell that feels like a full-contact sport every time you do laundry. Carry it around with you as you tour the home to make sure it fits around corners and staircases. See how many times you need to adjust the way you're holding it in order to avoid scraping your knuckles on the wall.
3) Your Roomba
If you own a Roomba, you know the struggle. It can easily get stuck in a corner, trapped behind furniture, or—worst of all—find a cliff to jump off of like a lemming. If you're eyeing a home with open staircases, high thresholds, or tricky floor layouts, bring your trusty Roomba and see how it handles the terrain.
If your trusty robot vacuum gets stuck under a cabinet lip, trapped between chair legs, or nearly takes a tumble down the stairs, you've just uncovered a few quirks that no floor plan would warn you about.
4) Your Average Dirty Dish Stack
Do they all fit in the sink? If not, how do they look on the surrounding counter area?
Let's face it, no one has a perfectly tidy kitchen all the time. So, it's worth testing whether your usual post-dinner chaos can fit entirely in the sink. Bring your dirty dish stack (or just simulate it with a few clean ones if you think that's a bit over the top) to see how much space is actually available for your typical everyday mess.
5) The Bulk Toilet Paper or Paper Towels You Buy
Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, but finding a place to plop them once you get them home can be quite the challenge. Before you commit to a new home, make sure your bulk TP or paper towels have somewhere to live. And if there isn't room for one of those bad boys, what're you gonna do if there's another pandemic?!
6) Your Bathroom Caddy or Shower Products
Those sleek built-in ledges look nice… until your shampoo bottle does a swan dive every morning. Bring your actual shower setup or caddy and do a little staging in the tub. Can everything sit securely? Is there a spot for your razor, loofah, or absurdly tall conditioner bottle? Or are you going to need suction cups and a prayer?
17
Pre-Approval Isn't Commitment – It's Clarity
If buying a home is on your radar – even if it's more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer.
The best time to get serious about buying is before you're ready to buy. Here's why.
Pre-Approval Helps You Understand Your Numbers
One of the biggest benefits of pre-approval is how it helps you understand your buying power. As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. That number is power.
Once you have that clarity, you're no longer...
6
Feel like Buying a Home Takes Too Long? 8 Common Buyer Mistakes That Drag Out the Home-Buying Process
Buying a home isn't an overnight process. (Well, unless you're a cash buyer, find the perfect home in a single day, and a seller who is able to accommodate such a quick closing!) But for many buyers, it can feel like the process of buying a house takes forever.
The good news? A lot of that timeline is in your hands…
Real estate agents are patient. They know every buyer has their own pace, and they roll with it. But they also see buyers unintentionally slowing themselves down all the time.
If you want to get through the process as quickly (and smoothly) as possible, avoid these 8 common mistakes that can add unnecessary time to your home-buying journey:
1) Waiting Too Long to Hire an Agent
Many buyers unknowingly stall their own progress by browsing listings online, wandering through open houses, and assuming they'll call an agent when they're "serious." But by the time they do, they've often wasted months looking at houses that just aren't a good fit, missing out on homes that do fit their needs, or getting overwhelmed by the process. Hiring an agent early helps you get focused, avoid rookie mistakes, and streamline the entire process from day one.
2) House Hunting Without a Mortgage Pre-approval
Shopping for a home without knowing what you can afford is like filling up a cart and heading to the checkout without your wallet. You might find your dream home, but without pre-approval, you can't make a serious offer. If you find the perfect home but aren't financially prepared to make an offer, you could lose valuable time securing financing. Getting pre-approved before you start your search not only speeds up the buying process but also shows sellers that you're a serious, qualified buyer.
3) Looking At Homes Above Your Budget
It's a slippery slope when you start looking at homes above your price range online. It starts innocently—just browsing homes a little over budget. Then, suddenly, those are the only ones that feel "right." Unless you know for sure a seller is desperate to negotiate, it's usually a waste of time. Staying within your price range keeps you from chasing unrealistic expectations and speeds up your search.
4) Needing to See "Just Few More Houses"
Finding a home you love should be exciting, but for many buyers, hesitation creeps in, making them question every choice—and sometimes costing them their dream home. "What if there's something better we've missed, or something nicer comes on the market next week?" While it's good to explore options, the best homes don't wait around forever, and new listings often aren't significantly better than the ones you already have to choose from. Indecision often leads to losing out on a house you loved, and you only realize how great it was and regret it once it's gone. Rather than waste time hoping for something better, make an offer on a home you like before another buyer does.
5) Waiting Too Long to Loop in Your Parents
Parental approval can be important, especially if your family is helping financially, but timing matters. If they're only weighing in after you've already fallen in love with a home, their concerns could set you back to square one. They need to have perspective on all of your options on the market—the good, the bad, and the ugly—in order to have an informed opinion. Bringing them into the process earlier gives them time to ask questions, voice concerns, and feel included, without throwing a wrench in your timeline at the last minute.
6) Making Unrealistic Lowball Offers
Trying to score a deal is understandable, but if you're consistently offering well below market value in a hot market, you're likely wasting time. Sellers may reject your offer outright or go with a stronger one, forcing you to start over repeatedly. Working with an agent who understands the market can help you make competitive offers without overpaying.
7) Dragging Your Feet on Paperwork
Once you're under contract, time is of the essence. Mortgage paperwork, inspections, deadlines—it's all on a clock. Buyers who procrastinate can cause delays, lose negotiation leverage, or even risk losing the deal altogether. Stay on top of deadlines to keep things moving.
8) Backing Out Over Small Inspection Issues
A home inspection is an essential step in the buying process, but no house—new or old—is perfect. If your inspection report reveals minor issues, don't let them send you running. Things like a leaky faucet, peeling paint, or an older water heater are not deal-breakers; they're just part of homeownership. Instead of walking away, consider negotiating with the seller or budgeting for future repairs. Backing out for minor reasons can restart your search and add weeks or months to the process.