I suppose the day we set out on the quest to make a home purchase we have visions of grandeur and perfection. These visions are soon confronted with reality as expectations are brought back to earth. Buyers that are reaching for the stars have to understand that reaching the moon is a big deal too. 
This scenario seems to apply to entitled first time buyers more so than any other category of buyers in the market. It's simply naivety that results in lofty unachievable expectations that are soon crushed by realism. Perhaps the media is painting a Picasso of distressed sellers, short sales, and foreclosures, that can be had for the price of 20 hot dogs, instead of 200,000.
First time buyers want to buy with nothing down for x amount, but are looking at houses that are x + 30,000. Lately I've been forced to create a new reality for buyers with a new found sense of reasonable expectations that together we can achieve. The responsibility, in part, lies with the Realtor to educate buyers about the process, the pricing, and what a "reasonable" offer really is.
First time buyers - Create a list of must haves and also a list of wants. Find a house with the "must haves" and settle for any "wants" that you are able to achieve in your price bracket. Being realistic will make the process much more enjoyable and likely much shorter and more successful.
More than half of the buyers I work with in Gettysburg, PA are first time buyers. Please call to make an appointment to purchase your first home.
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