8 Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make!

Most buyers and sellers think that they will find their dream home on the internet, in newspapers or in a homes magazine.

The fact is:

• Many companies have opted out of the MLS IDX program.  That is their right!  One of the largest and oldest national wide companies will not allow listings to be posted to websites other then their own company web site and they charge their agents for the leads. I would say this is not very motivating for the agents. I don’t understand why they do that, I don’t.  I feel buyers should know that my listing is out there for them to see.

• IDX data has a 2-3 day lag time.  The home that you dreamed of has all ready been exposed to the market for days and you don’t even know that it is there.  Great suburban Chicago homes will sell in less then hours in many cases. 

• Many web sites will only allow you to see their listings.  Your next home may be listed with another agency and you don’t know it.

• Most newspaper and homes magazines are ineffective these days because of the long time that it takes to get to publication.  These magazines are used as a marketing tool to attract buyers for the agent. 

• Did you know that 70% of buyers start searching for their next home on the internet? Most will search for hours and make countless calls.  They will get either, no response or they will get hounded by agents eager to sell them a home.

• Choose an agent from a homes magazine.  They will call the agent and the agent will give them a cute smile and say they want to be their friend and proceed to sell them a home.

• Will contact a loan officer to determine how much money they can borrow and surprise, you can borrow way more then you can afford and the banks will let you.

• Fail to have proper representation for the negotiation of the purchase of a home.  Did you know that when you buy a home from a for sale by owner, the owner is not required by law to look out for your best interests?  The FSBO is looking to do one thing, get more money for their home.   The fact is buyers pay usually 3-5% more money for a home when the purchase a home directly by owner.   I am required by law to represent your best interests at all times!

How to avoid the mistakes that most buyers make click here!