their time looking for “the one.”
Think back to when we talked about making that list of needs and wants for your next home. Now, I mentioned that while you’ll probably need to make certain concessions on some of your wants—simply because no home is perfect—you should never compromise on your needs. You wrote them down for a very specific reason! For example, if you dream of downsizing into a smaller detached home with a reasonably sized yard but the home needs to be one level, then don’t consider a home that you love but has stairs, assuming that somehow you will “manage” as you age. Similarly, if you need a two-bedroom condo so you can host grandchildren, family, or out-of-town guests, don’t settle for a one-bedroom suite and assume you’ll “work it out.”
MISTAKE #5: NOT CONDUCTING A HOME INSPECTION
While this mistake is often made by first-time homebuyers, it’s also sometimes made by longtime homeowners who haven’t purchased a new home in decades simply because things have changed over the years. It’s also possible you might never have conducted a home inspection before making an offer on a home. Regardless, don’t make the mistake of blindly relying on the seller and the seller’s agent to inform you that a home inspection has already been completed on their end, and then proceed to tell you what the few issues are. Unfortunately, some sellers can be sneaky and not reveal all the home’s problems, whether minor or major. While it takes time and costs money to conduct your own home inspection, it could cost you much more if you don’t. You yourself should know absolutely everything about the home you intend to purchase, before you close on the sale. You’ll need to hire a
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