3 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

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Ready to make your home your happy place? Congratulations! Buying a home is a huge milestone and one that comes with a lot of excitement and anticipation. However, it’s also important to approach the process with a clear head and a plan, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. To help you avoid some of the most common mistakes, we’ve put together a list of three rookie errors to sidestep on your journey to homeownership.

Mistake #1: Making major changes too soon

Once you’ve found your dream home, it’s natural to want to dive right in and start making it your own. However, before you knock down walls or start ripping up carpet, take a step back and live in the space for a while. Use this time to discover how you use each room and what changes would actually benefit your lifestyle. It’s also a good idea to get a feel for the home’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, which can help you make informed decisions when it comes to renovations.

Mistake #2: Hiring a shady contractor

If you do decide to make changes to your new home, you’ll likely need to hire a contractor at some point. Unfortunately, not all contractors are created equal, and hiring the wrong one can be a costly mistake. To avoid getting burned, do your research, ask friends and family for referrals, and always read reviews and check credentials before hiring anyone. For smaller jobs like painting or flooring, you may even be able to handle them yourself with a little bit of research and elbow grease.

Mistake #3: Overestimating your handyman skills

While it can be tempting to take on home improvement projects yourself to save money, it’s important to be realistic about your skillset. Remember, those home renovation shows on TV are heavily edited and often don’t show the full scope of the work involved. Before you start tearing down walls or installing new fixtures, take a good look at your DIY ability and be honest about what you can and can’t do. And if you’re ever unsure about a project, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help.

By avoiding these three common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to making your new home a happy and comfortable place for you and your family. And don’t forget to work with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you find the home of your dreams.