Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Sell Your Home
  • First Contact

10 Home Buyer Mistakes

October 7, 2010 By Doug Francis

Home Real Estate Agent Doug Francis sold on Brenner Court Vienna VA

Image by DougFrancis via Flickr

Even if you are an experienced, relocation home buyer moving to Vienna, VA with your company from California, it makes sense to go through this checklist. You will buy a better home and have a better experience.

The biggest home buyer mistakes:

  1. Choosing a real estate agent who isn’t committed to forming a strong business relationship with you. It is important that you have a solid connection because that agent needs to be dedicated to serving your needs right now, during the negotiations and after the sale.
  2. Not being “pre-qualified” by a lender before making an offer. Getting pre-qualified is actually very easy, will help you know what you can afford, and help strengthen your negotiating position. This is usually based on a credit score (FICO) and current income.
  3. Not knowing what the total costs will be. Sit down with your agent and go through an “Estimated Cost Worksheet” that will include closing costs, and inspection costs. Knowing the costs will help you plan your budget too.
  4. Thinking that there is only one style of home for you. House shopping is comparison shopping on a very big scale, so you need to have an open mind to what is available in your price range.
  5. Only looking at open houses, magazines or the Internet. The best homes rarely are available to see at an open house, magazines are often showing sold homes, and unless you are on the best site I know, your Internet search site may not be 100% accurate (garbage in, garbage out). Real estate agents are a strategic resource of the most current information.
  6. Not having a professional home inspection. Home Inspections can be the most informative three hours you will spend in your new home. And since most home inspectors look at two to three homes a day, they have valuable insight into potential issues or valuable upgrades.
  7. Waiting to make an offer. Real estate may seem like a commodity, but factors like natural sunlight, upgrades, superior condition, and price may make a home a real bargain. Making an offer before another buyer steps up may help you buy the right place today.
  8. Buying the lowest cost homeowners insurance. You are going to want “full replacement cost” if the house burns down the week after closing. Maybe that is too extreme, but a good policy will protect your financial position in case of a catastrophe.
  9. Buying with a short term vision. A home may seem too big now, but will it fit your plan in five to ten years? Planning ahead will prevent you from having to move too quickly.
  10. Not having the Seller provide a home protection plan or home warranty. Believe it or not, there are third party insurance companies that will cover the existing appliances with a low deductible during the first year (like your dishwasher, AC, or hot water heater). This does not replace the importance of a home inspection, because appliances with pre-existing conditions (like rust) are not covered.

Have a suggestion to help another home buyer? Then leave it in the comments below.

Related articles by Zemanta
  • Was it Real Estate Stats Day?(dougfrancis.com)

  • Home Inspections Confuse Home Buyers (raincityguide.com)
Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: California, home buyer, home inspection, Real estate broker/agent, relocation, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Helping my clients add value to their home has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more then invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg
Viva Vienna Vienna Idol event on the Town Green sponsored by Caffe Amouri

The Vienna Town Green

The Town Green in Vienna, Virginia is located where Maple Avenue intersects the W&OD Bike Trail and Mill Street. The Town

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Time to Down size to a retirement home

Transitioning Into Retirement | Your Real Estate Plan

Maybe it was the gray hair, the years of experience, or just being in my late 50’s that helped introduce me to clients who are transitioning into retirement and are downsizing. The baby-boomer retirement plan was accelerated by “Covid-19” as long time owners found the old house was just too big. The retirement dream became […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2022 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2022 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in