10 Tips for First-Time St. Louis Homebuyers (Part 1)
You have a lot of decisions to make in life; the ones you make during the home buying process should be ones that you don’t regret making. The process of buying your first St. Louis home can seem overwhelming and complicated so you need to be confident in knowing what lies ahead of you. Below is the first half of our list of common mistakes that many first-time St. Louis homebuyers tend to make along with ways on how you can avoid them.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. This means avoid getting so attached to a home in the beginning of the process that you can’t see any other home as a possibility. Keep in mind that anything can happen in the home buying process. As first-time homebuyers you should find several homes that you are interested in and not be completely invested in one that can break your heart down the line.
Your Agent is an Ally
Let your agent help you find the right home. You’ve hired him to be your ally so you need to trust him to have your best interests in mind. Research homes in your area that are of interest to you and let the agent know about them. From there, let your agent vet the properties while also finding others you may like. Typically, agents are able to find properties that have yet to hit the market at a more affordable price. Trust your agent and work closely with them.
Don’t Talk Directly to the Listing Agent
As first-time St. Louis homebuyers, you should also trust your agent to do their best at negotiating with the listing agent. Do not go directly to the listing agent; they do not work for you and, therefore, they have no obligation to work with you. Let your agent do the talking.
Know the Rules
As first-time St. Louis homebuyers you will have rules to follow. You should take the time to learn what those rules are and how you are expected to follow them. Many homes come with deed restrictions and conditions – depending on the community, these can vary. These restrictions help the property keep its value so you need to be sure that any plans you have for the property can fit within their parameters.
As first-time St. Louis homebuyers, you need to do all that you can to educate yourself on the process. Look for the second half of our tips for first-time St. Louis homebuyers in our next post.