Buying a home is one of the most exciting things you can do. Of course, you may think we would say that because we’re real estate agents, but it’s true.
CAUSES OF HOME BUYING STRESS
Home buying is also an emotional experience and very personal to each buyer. When your emotions are involved in a purchase, there’s a possibility that those emotions can get out of hand. Moreover, the chances of things going wrong are endless:
- Sellers can be unreasonable and argumentative
- A home inspection may reveal defects
- Lenders may reject your loan
- You could receive a low appraisal
- Your agent might not communicate well with you
- The title company could find a cloud on title or unknown lien
- Your moving company could go bankrupt
HOME BUYING STRESS STARTS WITH THE PURCHASE OFFER
Here is a partial list of what an offer may contain:
- Purchase price
- Earnest money deposit
- Down payment
- Loan amount and perhaps terms of your loan
- A closing date
- Contract contingencies such as inspections, loan and appraisal
- Allocation of closing costs
- Disclosure of agency relationship
- Time period for acceptance and delivery
HOME BUYING STRESS CAN HAPPEN WHILE WAITING FOR ACCEPTANCE
With fingers crossed behind your back, you will probably shake hands with your agent and mumble about hoping for the best. But secretly, you might feel butterflies in your stomach, and you don’t know if you’ll be able to sleep through the night, wondering if your offer will be accepted.
You can’t settle in to watch a movie or play with the kids because all you can think about is buying that home. What if the seller rejects your offer? What if the seller makes an unreasonable counter offer that you can’t afford? Did you offer too little? Too much? All these thoughts and more can take over your brain. You may begin to needlessly strategize, saying to yourself, “If the seller does X, we’ll do Y.”
The answer, of course, is to go out and get drunk. No, no, no, I’m just kidding. Alcohol can heighten your sensitivities. Here are some better solutions:
- Call your agent or trusted friend or family member who has recently bought a home and talk about your feelings and concerns.
- Focus on something else that requires your undivided attention such as a computer game, reading a book or engage in exercise.
- Tell yourself over and over that you cannot control the outcome; it’s up to the seller to respond.
HOME BUYING STRESS WHILE WAITING TO CLOSE
You’ve undoubtedly done your homework, received a preapproval letter from the lender, submitted your paperwork in an orderly fashion and paid for an appraisal. If the lender requires more documentation, don’t question why, just dig it up and submit it.
Ask your agent to inform you of the home buying process, step-by-step, so you’ll know what to expect. Your real estate agent can be an invaluable resource for you at a time like this. Experienced agents know how to predict possible problems and solve them before they mushroom into a gigantic headache.
Whatever happens during this period will fall partly on your agent’s shoulders. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you understand. Believe me, they can make your journey practically painless if you rely on them.
And here at Mainstreet we will make sure that this process is pleasant. If you are looking for a home or if you are thinking of selling your home, give us a call, or visit our website. Are ready to help you.