3 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes Can Cost Thousands

Buying real estate for the first time is a very exciting step in life.

It is likely to be one of the biggest financial commitments that you make, so it's very important to navigate the purchasing process wisely.

Many first-time home buyers make rookie mistakes that bring on negative consequences and a lot of frustration.

Outlined below are common errors home buyers make, so you can learn from their missteps and avoid them yourself.

1. Buying More Than What You Can Truly Afford

Just because the bank says that you qualify a certain amount for a mortgage doesn't mean that you have to choose a house at the very top of this price range.

Many people get carried away and buy the most expensive house that they qualify for.

If something unexpected happens, they may find it difficult to keep up with their monthly mortgage payments later on.

Remember that you will also have student loan payments, vehicle costs, credit card bills, health insurance, groceries, retirement savings and other expenses, so make sure that your mortgage payments will comfortably fit within your budget.

2. Failing To Get A Home Inspection

Before buying a house, you should always have a professional inspection done. Not doing so is a big mistake.

You don't want to get stuck with hidden damage that could saddle you with the expense of ongoing repairs.

Hiring a professional to assess the home's condition is absolutely essential before making your final decision.

3. Disregarding Your Future

When you are buying Seattle real estate, don't just think about how the home will work for you in the immediate future.

Also consider what your needs will be five, ten or even 20 years from now.

Find out the development plans for the neighborhood.

Look for reputable schools if you intend to start a family.

And consider whether the street's home values are likely to increase or decline in the future.

Your Next Steps

Don't let the home-buying process overwhelm you!

Learn from these common first-time home buyers' mistakes, so you can avoid them.

A great next step toward planning for your first home purchase is to consult with a trusted, licensed mortgage professional who is trained in providing the best advice on how a new home will affect your budget.

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Tampa Bay Real Estate Market in 2010 The Year in Retrospect

This has been an exciting year in the real estate market in Tampa, Florida. The real estate market moved at a fast pace in the first half of the year when the federal government decided to extend the 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit. Originally, the tax credit was to end on November 30, 2009. However, the 2009 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was extended so that those with a binding contract on or before April 30, 2010 and closing on or before June 30, 2010 would be able to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to become a homeowner. This fueled the real estate market in a big way.


Another major force in the real estate market this year has been the abundance of REOs (bank owned) properties that were for sale on the market. These properties sold just about as quickly as they were listed. Not only did they sell quickly, but they received multiple offers which caused an interesting bidding situation for all involved parties. This resulted in a serious reduction in the housing inventory which has been important to bringing pricing stability to the real estate market.

One cannot look at the past year without mentioning the force and affect of foreign investors on our market. International investors swarmed to buy properties in Florida and across the nation. The bloated inventory of homes combined with high unemployment and a weak currency created an incredibly attractive buyer’s market for the savvy international investor. Rather than investing in the stock market, many international investors purchased property and reaped immediate financial rewards for doing so.

Several factors have been at play in the real estate market in 2010. Tax incentives for first time home buyers and move-up/repeat home buyers, record high affordability in housing prices, near record low mortgage interest rates, and an influx of foreign investors, all combined have been and will continue to be critical to the housing and overall economic recovery.

SI Real Estate has had a fantastic year in 2010 and is excited about the upcoming year and opportunities in the real estate market. Are you interested in getting a piece of the real estate action? Give us a call at (813) 631-5144 any time.

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