The same handful of mistakes trip up first-time buyers again and again — here's how to avoid every one of them.
Get pre-approved before you start touring
A real pre-approval sets your actual budget and shows sellers you're financeable — do this before you fall for a listing, not after.
Never waive your inspection to win a bidding war
If you're in a multiple-offer situation, ask your agent about a pre-offer inspection instead of skipping it entirely.
Budget the full 1.5–4% closing cost range
Land transfer tax, legal fees, and title insurance add up fast — plan for the top of the range, not the average.
Bring your own agent from the very first search
A buyer's agent represents your interests from day one, typically at no direct cost to you — there's no reason to go without one.
Touring homes before you know your real budget wastes time and can mean falling for a home you can't actually afford.
Waiving inspection to win a bidding war trades a few hundred dollars of protection for real financial risk on a home's biggest hidden costs.
Land transfer tax, legal fees, and title insurance add up to 1.5–4% on top of your down payment — budget for the full range, not the minimum.
Approving for the maximum doesn't mean spending the maximum — leave a cushion for moving costs, repairs, and rate changes at renewal.
A new car loan or credit card between pre-approval and closing can change your debt ratios enough to jeopardize your final mortgage approval.
Relying on the seller's agent (or no agent) means no one is negotiating purely in your interest — a buyer's agent typically costs you nothing extra.
Book a free consultation with Narges to walk through your budget and offer strategy before you make these mistakes.
