How To Avoid Home Buying Mistakes

1. Not doing your homework. Enter the market well-prepared by researching location, school district, deed restrictions and taxes.

2. Trying to make a shrewd investment. Focus on finding the best place for you and your family to live rather than trying to predict the real estate market.

3. Choosing a poor location. Consider what part of town you would like to live in and avoid homes located on busy streets.

4. Overlooking an inferior floor plan for an attractive exterior. Choose a great floor plan over a great exterior because you'll spend far more time inside the house than outside.

5. Overlooking how the home will function for your family. Consider features that are most important to your family and choose a home that will meet those needs.

6. Not having the home properly inspected when buying a resale. Hire a state-licensed, professional inspector to evaluate the home's true condition, which could save you thousands of dollars in repairs and maintenance.

7. Not having the home properly inspected when buying a new home. Research the number of homes sold, homeowner satisfaction, years in business, industry recognition and warranties offered.

8. Not getting what you want because you're impatient. If it's a used home, allow time to negotiate and get the best deal possible. Refusing to rush the process could save you $5,000 on the purchase price.

9. Waiting for a better time to buy based on the market and interest rates. History shows that those who purchased homes and kept them for three to five years or more did better than those who didn't. Waiting is one of the biggest mistakes a home buyer can make.

10. The biggest home buying mistake is not buying at all. Buying a home will give you a place to call your own and allow you to take advantage of tax breaks and build equity.

Avoiding common mistakes can make the home buying process simpler and less stressful.

Care and Maintenance of Your Deck 

Annual deck maintenance will forestall repairs, protect your investment, and boost your enjoyment of your outdoor space. Because decks are exposed to the harshest elements, they require annual maintenance. Most decks should be cleaned and sealed every year to protect wood components; even decks made of composite or vinyl decking should be washed annually. Also, every deck should be checked regularly for signs of rot and to ensure structural integrity. Because a deck is a particularly good investment — returning about 70% of its original cost... more