When you buy your first Halifax home, you probably want it all. A big lot, perfect amenities, move-in condition, and lots of space seem like reasonable requests. When you see what you can afford, you realize you have to make concessions, especially if you want to avoid the new homebuyer mistakes mentioned in our first blog. The reality is that the home you are buying will statistically NOT be your 
last. To find a first home you will be happy with until you are ready for your next move-up home, there are a few things to avoid.
Mistake # 4 Not Compromising
Many first-time home buyers have the proverbial "champagne taste on a beer budget" syndrome. Granite counters in a gourmet kitchen, a perfect neighborhood, and an extra room all seem like necessities. So buyers are faced with choices: overspending, waiting, or compromising. If you want to buy a home now, overspending is a bad idea. The real choices are putting off your purchase or settling on something you like that is not quite your perfect home.
Mistake # 4 Not Seeing the Diamond in the Rough
Some homes you see in your price range may need some cleaning, some redecorating, or some remodeling. You might overlook their potential, especially if it is just sinking in that you need to compromise on the house you buy. A great house could be just beneath bad wallpaper or dirt or a couple of do-it-yourself projects. If the place has some features you like, try to look past the limitations while avoiding Mistake #5.
Mistake # 5 Not Being Realistic
When people are selling their home, they make it look its best. The common wisdom for sellers is that they should invest a little in cosmetic improvements and staging so you see their home at its best. Even a seller who can't do much more than clean, declutter, and paint is still trying to market you into making an offer. Perhaps all is fair in love and real estate, but if the house needs big repairs or big modifications to make it work for you, you have to be realistic. Do you have the money to make repairs? Do you have the skills to do it yourself? Do you have the constitution to undergo extensive renovations? If the house needs more than you can put into it, you need to keep looking.
If you are buying your first house, you need to make some concessions, but suitable homes are still out there. One can be yours if you avoid the pitfalls we'll mention in our next blog. Roy Thomas and his team will work with you to find a home that meets your needs and wants. Visit our website today and sign up for my Exclusive Buyer Profile System to see the best homes first.
Selling? Now's the time to get a free home evaluation so you can price it right. Contact Roy Thomas for all the details.
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