7 Common House Hunting Mistakes to Avoid in Kalispell

Did you know that 44% of homeowners say they had some regrets about the purchase of their home?

For millenial homeowners, this number is a whopping 63%.

How can you avoid being one of the people that have buyer’s remorse?

Let’s take at 7 house hunting mistakes that you should avoid when looking for a home in Kalispell.

1. Not Using a Real Estate Agent

It’s an understandable mistake to make, but don’t get caught dealing with the seller’s agent before having an agent of your own. There’s really not any risk to having your own agent, either, as the agent is normally paid by the seller rather than the buyer.

The only situation where the bill might fall in your lap to pay the buyer’s agent is if you buy a property that is for sale by owner.

Real estate agents know the ins and outs of the local market, so they’ll be able to help you navigate this important decision. They can take care of setting up showings for you and will offer valuable information about different houses and neighborhoods. On top of this, they’ll help you negotiate a price which can be difficult to do on your own.

2. Not Shopping Around

House hunting can be stressful and time-consuming, but that doesn’t mean you should settle on the first house you see. While you likely will have to be willing to compromise on certain aspects of your home purchase, don’t cave on the things that are important to you.

If you are dead set on getting a three bedroom because you plan on having another kid, don’t get a two-bedroom just because it seems like the only thing available. Before you start shopping, make a list of the things that are most important in your new home. This way, you can be sure that you don’t settle for less than you really want.

3. Unrealistically Overlooking Flaws

It’s  totally reasonable to purchase a house that needs a little TLC. As you work to upgrade the house over time, it can help bump your equity up and end up having been a great investment.

That being said, you don’t want to buy something that’s too far out of your wheelhouse. Repairs take time and cost money. If you’re planning on doing the work yourself, make sure you thoroughly look for signs of damage or things that will need to be repaired so you know what you’re in for.

4. Going Beyond Your Budget

It’s easy when your house hunting for your sense of budget to slowly inch up the ladder. A house in your budget might look fine, but that one that’s a little more expensive looks so much nicer!

Don’t be tempted to move beyond the budget you know you can afford. Things like changing interest rates or a change in your income could really throw you for a financial loop in the future. Before you start looking, have a realistic sense of how much you can spend.

Wondering about the costs of living in Montana? Check out this article for a complete breakdown of the costs.

5. Dragging Your Feet

This is a tough one. Buying a house is such a big decision, it makes sense that you’d want to mull it over for quite some time. Unfortunately, if you wait too long to make an offer on your dream home, someone else might beat you to it.

The housing market can be incredibly competitive, particularly in certain markets. The reality is that you aren’t the only ones that picturing the future living in Kalispell. That means that you’ll want to know what your looking for, know which house is right for you when you see it, and pulling the trigger as soon as you’ve made a confident decision.

6. Rushing the Decision

On the other hand, it’s also possible to make a decision with too much haste. In a hot housing market, it can be important to make an offer as soon as possible. That being said, you don’t want to end up with buyer’s remorse after the closing.

Learn as much as you can about the neighborhood and the house before making an offer. Do you value peace and quiet but it’s actually right next to a bustling playground? These are the kinds of things you won’t want to overlook, as you could be disappointed when you finally get all moved in and settled in.

7. Neglecting to Inspect

The house shopping process can be so long and drawn out that you just want to get it over with as quickly as possible. It’s absolutely essential that you don’t neglect to get a proper and thorough inspection of the property. This is frequently required by mortgage lenders, and for good reason.

From an inspection, you’ll be able to learn about any issues that need to be dealt with or might need to be dealt with in the near future.

Avoiding These House Hunting Mistakes Will Make the Process Go Much More Smoothly

In Kalispell, there are plenty of options when it comes to houses for families or couples. That being said, you want to make sure you get the perfect house for you! Being prepared for you start your house hunting search can go along way in helping you avoid these house hunting mistakes and buyer’s remorse after the fact.

Are you looking for your dream home in Kalispell? If you’d like more information about our master planned community, contact us today!