Stupid People Should Not Buy Homes

Stupid People Should Not Buy Homes

It never seems to amaze me how many home buyers and home sellers seem to think they know so much more than I do about selling or buying a home.  After all, they have bought and sold homes how many times?  Or should I say the person who sits at the desk next them, the neighbor, mother, father, whomever seems to have better advice.  UGGGHH!  I have compiled a simple list of the most common “no-no’s” when buying a home. 

Hire Any Agent to Assist You with the Purchase of your Home.  Besides, how hard can it be?  All real estate agents do is write the contract then sit back and wait for the big fat commission check to roll in.  I wish it were only that simple.

Choosing the Wrong Mortgage.  I love this one.  How many times have you had a home buyer decide to get his mortgage thru a friend?  Again, I am stumped even after I show them the differences, apple to apples; they go with a friend for loyalty.  Loyalty will not be paying the mortgage every month!

“I will get the loan pre-approval when I find the right house.”  DAHHHH.  You can’t believe everything you read on the Internet.  Just because some general loan calculator told you, you can afford $3000 a month doesn’t mean it took into consideration all the details- taxes, insurance, credit score, debt to income, etc.  This one irritates me the most.  Why is it so complicated to speak to a reputable lender first?  Why not shop for the loan before you find the house?  If you do so, you are likely to save thousands of dollars.

Credit Issues.  Lie on the credit application.  REALLY?  How about going out and making a big purchase the night before settlement?  What are these home buyers thinking?  That one leads me to the idiot who quits his job the morning before he settles.

Skip Inspections.  “It is a new home.  The local authority already inspected the home, right?” It will make your offer be more favorable to the Seller if you don’t have inspections.  Skip the inspections and save $300 bucks.  How stupid is that?

Not Taking the Time to Research your House or the Neighborhood.  Why do you think it is my responsibility to confirm the school district?  Verify if and how many registered sex predators are in the area?  Crime statistics, etc.  This is your family you are moving to this house.  Can’t you take one afternoon to verify the important stuff for yourself?

Making Decisions Based off of Emotion and not Logic.   The only time this does not apply is when husband and wife are looking to buy a home.  The wife wants the house.  Him?  He just wants to know where he is putting the TV.  If your wife will divorce you because you didn’t make an offer on the house, make the offer.  A happy wife is a happy life!

Not Asking Questions.  Hey, people.  Learn the lingo.  If the agent or the loan officer you are asking is not giving you satisfactory answers… move on until you get something that makes sense.  If the answers you are getting are just not sitting well, get another opinion.

There is a reason I feel I need a glass of wine (some nights two) before going to bed.  Clients like these will drive you to drink…. no matter what you do or say.  Move on to the client who values your time and expertise.  Someone who will appreciate what you bring to the transaction.  Home Buyers and Home Sellers need guidance. If they start out not making common sense decisions, chances are they are just stuck on stupid and will not learn.