This is an older post that I've updated. I received a real estate association e-mail newsletter with an interesting list from an Illinois real estate agent, Mark Nash. I'd like to quote his Top Buyer Mistakes and give my opinion after each one:
1. Bought properties to flip at top-of-market prices
I still can't figure out why buyers do this. Maybe if a buyer timed the purchase around the flipping of a Scottsdale home for sale at the beginning of a seller's market, they might have seen a substantial profit. In our local market, things are slowing and I've already seen homes purchased and quickly put back on the market at a higher price (after some renovating) sitting and not selling.
UPDATE: We are still seeing flips but I do see a lot of mistakes. I've seen flip homes that have such bad floor plans they're almost unlivable. Teeny tiny bedrooms that today's buyers don't want, cape cod styles without dormers in the upper bedrooms with such sloping ceilings that you can't put much furniture in, bad locations, and the list goes on. I always wonder if the flippers made any money on these bad investments.
2. Utilized interest-only mortgages, paying top-of-market prices
I consider this to be two separate issues. I find nothing wrong with interest-only mortgages but they should be at a fixed rate. For the first years of a mortgage, you aren't building much equity and you can always pay towards equity (find out how to properly do this with your mortgage provider) if you want to. In the past seller's market if you wanted a property you had to pay top price or you probably didn't have a chance to get it, so not everyone had a choice in paying top dollar. Is it just the combination of interest-only and top dollar? Again, it was the market at the time and if you fully understand what an interest-only mortgage is all about and you understand and prefer it, then I see nothing wrong with it.
UPDATE: Interest-only mortgages pretty much came and went. They never held traction. It seemed like they were just another vehicle to get people into homes they couldn't afford. This was when we made the joke that if you had a pulse, you could get a mortgage.
3. Overlooked resale characteristics, especially upgrades in new home construction
No update to this section is needed, it is still relevant today. I fully agree with this and I see it in all markets. I always try to have my buyers look into the future when they will most likely eventually go to sell the property they're now considering purchasing.
Once again, in a seller's market, you might have to settle for something less than you anticipated because of the lack of inventory. But so many people building a home do not look at a future sale and either don't choose important upgrades that will help sell their property for top dollar down the line or make very personal choices that might actually hurt their home's saleability in the future.
4. Skipped performing a home inspection (especially before some markets shifted away from seller's market)
This would be a mistake, but I rarely see buyers today not having home inspections. I always give my buyers the opportunity to have a home inspection in the contract, even if they tell me at that point they don't want one. Again, during the active seller's market, many were opting out of inspections to give them a better chance of getting a home when up against multiple contracts, only to find out there were problems after closing.
5. Misinterpreted developers' giveaways (which usually signal a softening market)
I really don't understand what is meant by "misinterpreted" here. I guess it would be teaser rates provided by a developer's mortgage provider, upgrades that aren't necessary or less costly than they're made to be. Just be sure you know exactly what you're getting and if it's really valuable and don't choose one builder/developer over another because of the perceived value of the giveaways. Do your homework.
6. Were represented by the same agent as the sellers
No matter how much I try to educate people about this I constantly get calls on my listings where the buyers want to view them through me. Once I talk to them I explain Buyer Representation and Dual Agency but some just don't understand. You need full representation. When you work with the listing agent on a property you are not getting that. The best that can be provided is Dual Representation.
Many buyers think they'll get the difference between the buy-side commission in the sales price, but that is untrue. If anyone gets a deal because the listing agent sold the house, it will be the seller, not the buyer. Find an agent you have built a rapport with and trust and work with that agent to find you properties to view through the MLS. That agent will be representing you and give you full fiduciary duty vs. being a middleman for both you and the seller.
7. Didn't read homeowners' association documents
There are many HOAs in the Greater Phoenix area including Scottsdale real estate. When I lived and sold real estate in the southwest Chicago suburbs, HOAs were mostly for attached properties and some gated communities. There were few single-family subdivisions that had HOAs.
You have the right to get all documents prior to closing so you can review them. I suppose some buyers don't bother reading these docs, but then they can't complain if there is a rule they don't like. Rules can be parking outside of your assigned spaces or visitor parking rules, renting and pets (especially with attached properties), and even what plants you can grow.
You also want to make sure you understand the financial stability of an HOA and see if there are any special assessments coming up in the future. You should be able to get a package from the HOA and some provide recent meeting minutes and budgets. You don't want any surprises down the road.
8. Neglected to request rates of state, county, or local transfer taxes paid by buyers at closing
I don't expect buyers to even know to request something like this. This is information that a knowledgeable real estate agent should provide. This is more of an Illinois issue, and I'm sure other states. In Scottsdale and the Phoenix area, you will see an HOA transfer fee.
In Summary
I point out any issues and I empower my buyers by educating them on the current market. I always point out the negative aspects of a property that could affect resale value. Although people are staying in their homes longer than in the past, the home will be sold at some point.
Don't make the mistake of missing out on the perfect home for you. Keep up-to-date with new listings as they hit the market by creating and saving a search(es) here or filling out the Automated Home Finder Form.
Posted by Judy Orr on
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