10 Common Mistakes Made by First-Time Homebuyers, According to Scott McGillivray

Scott McGillivray has helped a lot of people go through the process of buying and renovating their first home – but he’s also seen people make the same mistakes over and over again. Do any of these sound familiar?

Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.

A financial advisor walks a young couple through the paperwork for their new home

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1. Not Getting Pre-Approved First

I can’t say this enough: Always get pre-approved for financing before you even start shopping for a house. One big reason is because it’s highly likely you’ll fall in love with something you can’t afford and then have your heart broken. Also, when you put in an offer for a house it’s more likely for it to be accepted if your finances are already in order. Even if your offer is a little lower than someone else’s bid, your guaranteed financing may make you a better candidate.

A couple enthusiastically greet Scott McGillivray

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2. Getting Too Emotionally Invested

Buying your first home is a big deal, and it’s perfectly normal to feel emotional about it. However, you should never let your emotions get in the way of smart decision-making. Emotions can cause you to make mistakes, and when it comes to buying a property those mistakes can become costly. Think with your head, not with your heart.

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3. Buying at the Top of Your Budget

Just because you get approved for a certain amount of financing it doesn’t mean that’s what you should spend. You need to do a proper budget breakdown and make sure you either have enough to maintain your current lifestyle, or make the appropriate compromises. I always recommend doing a practice mortgage the year before you want to buy. Put away the amount of money you would spend on mortgage payments and property taxes to make sure you can afford it. At the end of the year you’ll have a more realistic idea of what you can afford, plus you’ll have some extra money put aside for the down payment.

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4. Not Shopping Around for Mortgages

A mortgage is a big deal, so don’t go with the first one you find. Shop around with different lenders and find the one that works best for your lifestyle and your future plans. You may have more options than you realize, so take your time and do some comparison shopping.

Scott McGillivray advises a couple on repair costs

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5. Not Accounting for Repair Costs

When you buy a home you no longer have a landlord to fix your problems. If an appliance breaks down, it’s all on you. If a pipe bursts, it’s all on you. If anything goes wrong at all and needs fixing, it’s on you. Make sure you have an emergency fund set aside for repairs, both big and small.

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6. Forgetting About Closing Costs

There’s more to buying a house than just the house itself. Closing costs can include legal fees, land transfer taxes, home inspection fees, and more. It’s tough to say exactly what the closing costs will be on any given property, but usually two to five per cent of the cost of the house is a fair estimation.

A real estate agent walks a couple through an empty house

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7. Buying Too Much House

Everyone has an idea of what their dream house should be, and the majority of people think bigger is better. But that’s not the case if you can’t afford to maintain it. Give some serious thought to how much time and money you want to spend maintaining and caring for your home. Too much house can be overwhelming, especially when you’re a first-time homeowner.

A pristine, renovated kitchen with an island

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8. Getting Caught in Bidding Wars

Do not get caught in a bidding war. Full stop. The only people who win are the sellers. Before you start looking you should know how much you can afford and, before you put in an offer, you should know exactly how high you’re willing to go. If a bidding war starts and it goes past your price, stop. It’s not worth it. Another house will come along.

A wraparound front porch with welcome mat

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9. Waiting for the “Perfect” House

The term “dream house” gets thrown around a lot, but the reality is that perfect houses are often made and rarely found. You need to look past ugly paint colours and chipped tile and consider what improvements you can make yourself. Waiting until you find something “perfect” that’s within your budget means you’ll likely be waiting a long, long time.

A rustic bedroom with hardwood flooring and large windows

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10. Not Considering an Income Suite

Getting into the housing market these days can be tough. One way to make it more manageable is with an income suite. If you’re a first-time buyer I highly recommend looking at houses with existing income suites, or at least a separate entrance and the right foundation to make creating one plausible.