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well as any electrical, gas, and plumbing problems. Any sales agreement should be conditional on satisfactory results from this inspection. MISTAKE #3: COMPROMISING ON YOUR NEEDS Newbie home buyers often make the mistake of compromising on their needs, generally because the home-search process is taking too long, or they’ve fallen in love with a home that almost meets their criteria. Remember that list of needs and wants you carefully thought about, prepared, and wrote out back in Chapter 4? I mentioned that while you’ll likely need tomake certain concessions on some of your wants (after all, no home is 100%perfect), you should never compromise on your needs. You wrote them down for a reason! For example, a concession you can make is letting go of your dream of a living room fireplace, but then not compromising on the number of bedrooms you will need for your growing family. If a three-bedroom home is a need, don’t settle for a two-bedroom home and just assume “it will work out.” On the other hand, though, think realistically and creatively. Let’s say one of your needs is a home with neutral colors because you won’t be able to afford immediate renovations or even small touch-ups, like paint. Don’t say “no” to an otherwise great home that meets your other criteria and that you can afford. It might be worthwhile to live in such a home with wall colors you hate, just temporarily, until you have the money and time to repaint. Such a small physical imperfection can easily be remedied, so don’t let it cloud your judgment. MISTAKE #4: RELYING SOLELY ON ONLINE SERVICES In today’s digital age, real estate information, services, and transactions are available and done online. You can use