8 Homebuying Myths You Shouldn't Believe

Sally Norton

Guest Blogger

Purchasing a home is costly. The time to buy is not right. You've probably heard at least one of these myths before, whether you want to buy your first house in the coming years or you currently own a property. To start making educated, wise decisions when you buy your next home, keep reading because we've prepared a list of eight homebuying myths you shouldn’t believe.

You should have a 20% down payment

Surprisingly, many believe that a 20% down payment is not only the standard but also required. Although a 20% down payment can help you get the home of your dreams, it's not always necessary.

Of course, while putting down a smaller amount of cash can make buying a property more feasible for you, it's often advantageous to do so since this might decrease your monthly payment amount.

In addition, there are lending options created specifically with first-time house purchasers in mind. Even if you are ready to put down a sizable deposit, it may still be in your best interest to consider all of your alternatives:

• Apply for help with the down payment. Consult with regional and municipal authorities. They could provide loans or grants. And to qualify, you don't have to be a first-time homebuyer!
• Make use of gifts. It is exactly what it sounds like: cash that you are given. Make sure to report gift money in financial records accurately. Copies of your most recent bank statements, your donor's most recent bank statements, and cashier's checks are required.

You need an A credit rating

Even if your credit isn't perfect, you may still become a homeowner. In addition to your credit score, lenders consider your income, home type, assets, and debt levels when determining whether you qualify for a mortgage.

For most individuals, purchasing a home requires taking out a sizable mortgage loan, which requires bank approval. Many individuals believe that having a credit score that is flawless or almost perfect is necessary. It turns out, though, that many people with poor credit ratings are nonetheless able to obtain mortgages.

The U.S. Federal House Administration claims that to be eligible for various loans, you only need a credit score of 580. 300 is the lowest and 850 is the highest.

As you can see, you don't have to wait until your score is perfect to start looking for a home. You can begin looking through listings immediately and become a homeowner faster than you thought, which means you will need some moving tips too sooner than anticipated. Once you purchase a home and begin the relocation process, you will need all the helpful info for this that you can find. Therefore, doing thorough research on moving companies and all the services they provide is a must!

There are many homebuying myths you shouldn't believe or let them stop you from buying your perfect family home.

Getting a real estate agent is not essential

If you have a friend who claims that not hiring an agent made it easier to buy a house, that buddy is probably the exception rather than the rule. Generally speaking, having a real estate professional on your side is always advantageous.

Realtors are skilled negotiators familiar with the market's ins and outs. An agent may assist you in finding the property of your dreams and negotiate the price to a more affordable level. They are nearly always a more economical choice in the long term.

By purchasing a fixer-upper, you'll increase the value of your house

Many people searching for a new house believe that saving a little money upfront on a dilapidated home would be worthwhile in the long run after several modifications. This isn't always the case, though; you might end up disappointed by the house you purchased.

By buying a fixer-upper, you’ll increase the value of your house. Not really. It's just one of the homebuying myths you shouldn't believe.

Buying a fixer-upper might not be the best choice to make, so think twice. First, you'll continue to lose money on the house until your upgrades increase the worth of your property by more than they cost. Furthermore, it's tough to determine how much value your renovations will contribute. Even if the value initially rises due to market price fluctuations, you can still lose money if you decide to sell in the future. 
​

Always seek out the lowest interest rate

When selecting a home loan, it might be quite tempting to look for repayment options with low interest rates. You might think the low rate will save you money, but this isn't necessarily the case.
​
Some lenders provide lower interest rates but have higher closing fee charges. Examining these charges is vital to ensure that this lower rate is still the best offer. Additionally, loans with shorter durations often have cheaper interest rates. This implies that your monthly payments can increase. If you can afford the amount each month, excellent; if not, you could discover that your finances will be more difficult.

Your down payment is all you need to put aside

Some first-time buyers become so thrilled about the possibility of buying a house that they neglect to budget for unexpected fees that may arise.

In addition to making sure you have enough money saved for a down payment, you must start planning for other expenses so that you can stick to your budget and prevent disappointment. Additional costs may include stamp duty, appraisal fees, conveyancing charges, insurance, etc.

Professionals at mastermovingguide.com claim that most people are not informed about all the costs their moving budget should cover. That's why it's essential to choose a reliable and transparent moving company that will inform you about all the expenses that might come up along the way.

Your mortgage will be your only expense

Your mortgage payments will only make up a percentage of your overall homeownership expenditures, just as your down payment won't be your sole upfront expense. Additionally, you'll need to consider your bills, repairs, new appliances, insurance, and other costs.

You are not prepared to purchase if your mortgage application is rejected

Many people become dejected and feel they won't be able to buy their ideal house after their initial mortgage application is rejected. If your initial application for a loan is turned down, you shouldn't give up. To make yourself more eligible for lenders the next time, find out why your application was rejected and see if you can change anything.
Bear in mind that even if you recently received preapproval and are feeling happy, it does not, however, ensure that the lender will give you a mortgage. For it to be final, you must go through the entire financing procedure. Additionally, your loan application may be rejected if your job, financial, or income situation changes between prequalification and underwriting.

Having your own home-sweet-home is priceless. Ultimately, it's worth your time, money, and all the fuss!

Final Thoughts

With these house purchasing misconceptions debunked, you're off to a terrific start. Most likely, the most considerable financial choice you'll ever make is to purchase a home. However, there are a ton of false beliefs about the procedure that might be just unnecessary obstacles on your way to becoming a first-time homeowner. With our list of homebuying myths you shouldn't believe, we hope you'll be a step closer to deciding to buy a place of your own. Fingers crossed!
​