Real Estate Mistakes to Avoid

Before taking the plunge into the real estate market, there are many things to know and consider ahead of time. With constantly changing laws, fees and rules, its no wonder most people seem lost when it comes to buying. To list every mistake people make when buying would result in a very long list. Instead, here are the top mistakes people make when either buying real estate or getting a mortgage.

The first mistake is the consumer not understanding the new ways of buying and selling real estate. Although the basics of finding financing, shopping for a home, making an offer and then closing are pretty much the same, the finer details of how the process works today is different than last year. It's important to know the new rules and to know what has changed in order to avoid any costly mistakes.

A common problem in real estate purchases is homebuyers paying more for property than they should. Even though this is a buyers market, it's important that you do your homework and make yourself familiar with home prices in the areas you are considering buying in. It's also important to not allow the fear of 'missing out' to impact your buying decision. Property prices can go down as quickly as they go up. Don't be pressured into a buy unless you're ready. Jumping at the first property seen is another mistake that's common to new home buyers. Even if you fall in love with the first house you visit, you should still take the time to look around. You may find that although the house is nice, the next has a finished basement, or more bedrooms at a more reasonable price.

Lenders are now asking for much more documentation than they did even six months ago, so when you apply for a mortgage, be prepared to provide ample documentation with your application as well as during the verification process. Not responding to your bank or lender's requests for verification documents will only delay the process, which may result in declined financing, which could cause you to miss out on a great deal. One of the most important factors to remember when investing or buying is to clean up your credit. Lenders have really tightened their credit requirements. Before, it was possible to get a loan with a lower score. However, the government-backed loans now require a minimum credit score of 600 to get a loan. It's very important you spend time cleaning up your credit score before applying for a loan.