Yesterday, a young client asked me: “We’ve been talking to our friends who bought houses recently and there seems to be so much dissatisfaction and confusion about the way their transactions were handled. Why is that?” I hate to hear about those experiences. Buying a home is one of life’s major events – especially when you purchase your first home – it should not be memory that you wish to bury. The truth is unsettling home buying experiences can be avoided and it all starts with knowledge.
Number 1 Cause for Dissatisfaction in a San Mateo Real Estate Transaction
Let’s look at the reasons why this may have happened. We’ve found that the number one cause for dissatisfaction and confusion in a San Mateo real estate transaction is the parties to the transaction – seller, buyer and real estate agents – don’t understand their duties and responsibilities. And, the number one cause for conflict, disputes and lawsuits in a San Mateo real estate transaction is the parties do not respect and adhere to their contractual obligations and legal duties.
Biggest Mistake Buyers Make in the Home Buying Process
Clearly the biggest mistake far too many home buyers make is ignorance of the home buying process. Home buying is an infrequent activity conducted in a constantly changing open marketplace that is legally complex, financially challenging and stressful. That is a certainty. Because buyers don’t know what they don’t know, they are uncertain and anxious about doing something they have never done before. That’s aside from the fact that buyers are making the biggest purchase of their lives. And, if they are trade-up buyers, the market conditions and rules have changed since they last bought a home.
The Key to Having a Positive Home Buying Experience is Education
We’ve learned that the key to having the most satisfying and positive home buying experience is education – we have a passion for education. That’s why we’ve been presenting home buying classes in San Mateo County for the last 30 years.
11 Tips that Can Help You Be an Informed San Mateo Home Buyer
- Hire a REALTOR® who puts your interests first.
- Find a loan first and then find a home.
- Review and understand the purchase contract.
- Review and understand the disclosures and advisories.
- Retain competent inspectors and insist on written reports.
- Read reports critically and ask for clarification, when needed.
- Obtain insurance claims history and shop for insurance early.
- Pull building permits and other records from governmental agencies.
- Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood and school situation.
- If a legal issue arises, seek advice from a competent real estate attorney.
- Be involved in the process – Stop, Look, Listen, and Look Again.
These tips will help you have the best home buying experience possible and is an integral part of our homeowner education program. Each program is designed to educate, inform and enlighten home buyers and home sellers. We invite you to attend one of our regularly scheduled education programs.
Home Buying Class and Webinar Schedule
We regularly host free home buying classes and webinars to help consumers educate themselves about various aspects of the home buying process. These programs are education based with real information, no sales pitches. All we ask is if you enjoyed the program you help us spread the word by telling a friend.
To view a list of our upcoming classes, check out our class schedule.
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