How do you overcome first-time buyer's fear?

Question

My husband and I are getting ready to make an offer on our first house. We were very lucky: we only had to tour half a dozen or so before we chanced upon one that is a perfect fit. I know this is the right house, but tomorrow, we are going to make an offer -- and we are SCARED.

What if the market continues to tank?
Are we making a mistake by stopping the search process this early, even if we have otherwise found the perfect house for our needs?
What if the whole thing turns out to be a giant money pit?

I know that we will get over this eventually, but I'd love to hear how other first-time buyers mastered their nerves. How did you summon the courage to pick up a pen and "sign the offer"?

Answer 1

i love working w/first time buyers, but with those that listen to me. i am an expert. besides, i really, truly know "agency," which means that i'd never let anyone or anything hurt my client, which would be you. but i do not know why "you" cannot trust the solid advice that your buyer broker gives to you when you already know, i hope, that because she really and truly listened to your needs v. wants, and got you qualified to buy way before seeing those 6 houses, that signing on the dotted for the one house that you are certain is best for you is going to be a GOOD move.

and who cares if the market continues to "tank?" it will go into the seller's cycle again, it always does. you are advantaged NOW in that it's a buyer's, not a seller's, market. do it, because:

it will not be a bad move. in fact, since you like it, that means (in this market), that it is properly priced to sell for where and what it is. that means that other buyers are seeing it, and because many of them lost out when they had seen the house they wanted to begin with, but that they were too scarred to sign (because they falsely thought that they had not viewed enough houses), they will now offer to buy this house, this one, the one you know is right for YOU. so, don't get yourselves backed into a bidding war--just make the derned offer and try to make it a contract. believe me, once the "first time buyers' fear" is done with and you get the house, you will NEVER feel like this again. now then:

buying your first house (and mostly, buying any house) is the largest outlay of money you can imagine ever making. some say that it is the largest "investment" you will ever make, but little do they know that the house you live in is not an investment. it is your home. it is the place where you go to for solace after a hard day of work.

so, if you know it is, so far, (without the prerequisite home inspection that will help you know if there are defects that you cannot handle), just SIGN THE OFFER, AND SUBMIT THE HIGHEST, NOT THE LOWEST, EARNEST MONEY amount that will show the sellers that you are serious (your money is quite protected, just ask your agent, or ask her managing broker what happens with it). the reason i say submit the offer with more than the measly $1,000 (to be increased...to the highest anyhow) that buyers usually submit with an offer is because you want to make yourself look strong and serious to the seller. if another buyer offers, they probably do not know this trade secret, which most buyer brokers don't know either--but i kid you not, don't worry about it.

if you are signing a standard, preprinted, especially Realtor approved (or Realtor board approved) offer form, know that already, the best of the best attorneys already covered every aspect as it pertains to laws. your buyer broker will write in things that are particular to you. some of them will be negotiated, particularly your offered price--so try for it to not be too far from asking price--ask your buyer broker for advice (or write to me on my email provided on my profile so i can tell you how to do it).

for sure, make your offer "clean," meaning do not tack on too many contingencies. the cleaner the offer, the more likely the sellers will want to work with it, i.e., not to out of hand REJECT it, but at least, to counter it: which means hurry up, because when they counter, your offer is null and void, so if you want the house, move on that counteroffer PDQ.

you will have standard wording in a preprinted, Realtor approved form that gives you so many business days to get a home inspection. that will tell you if it is a money pit, in which case you walk and get back the earnest money. or, you can be really smarter and ask the seller to repair the worst defects, prior to your final walkthrough--much smarter than taking a credit (again, feel free to write to ask me why).

you will also have an attorney's approval time period. make that for one day past the day your home inspection is to be, or is, done. let the lawyers fight--they get paid to do that anyways and love it, like gladiators--out any differences regarding the wording of the contract, and, how you will make the seller fix defects.

just take a deep breath now. stop worrying. you were enormously LUCKY to find your dream house the 9th one you saw. but that is also because you have an exceptionally good buyer's broker, so go back to her when you want to sell--she really, really listened so well to you that that is why the 9th house is the one for you. trust me on this.

and with that deep breath, pick up a pen and pretend like you are signing an offer. do this a lot. do it now. then you will be ready to actually SIGN the offer. then you go from there. be sure that you will feel another thing, which is called "buyers' remourse" once your offer is a contract and you close: you automatically will think you paid too much, but it won't be true if your agent showed you a market analysis. the seller always feels that they selled too cheap, too, but not so. the "comps" always prove the truth.

gee, i wish i were the one helping you, since i know how to alleviate this fear. but most first timers get it. just tell yourself you are going to get over it, right now, so that others do not bid on that house!

many blessings. i hope you are very happy in your HOME!!! write if you need a specific question answered. personally i think you have a great buyer broker, though.

Answer 2

Making the offer isn't the hard part, signing the papers at the closing is....you are totally commited at that point with no turning back unless there is something drastically wrong.
It was the scariest move, but you have to ride the real estate market just like you do the stock market. No matter what however, you are bound to make money on real estate. Why? Because there is no more being made.
The purchase of our home was the best thing we ever did - I have a place to be every day and I can do with it what I want.
Think of the positive, you can paint any color you want, you have your own space, you have lots of space to develope into your personality.
In the offer part make sure you ask for a house inspection and split the cost. Get a contractor friend to look at it for you.
Believe me when you own a home there is always something that needs money...so a money pit, yes, but the best investment you will ever make in your life.
Enjoy your new home...make the offer and have a great time dressing it up.....

Answer 3

You've found the perfect house. If you hesitate or question your decision because of what might be, you may be missing out.

Take a deep breath and trust that you're making the right decision. The trepidation will soon turn to elation.

After you make the offer, certain contingencies will have to be met, such as inspections. If you discover defects that might turn it into a "money pit," you can change your mind.

Of course, owning a house means you pay for everything. It won't be a money pit, but you'll definitely be putting money into it. But it's yours! Congratulations!

Answer 4

You can't get over the fear or should I say misgiving, but it is part of the game. Despite that sinking feeling we had before signing along the dotted line, we all eventually did. And I can assure you, every time you would have that feeling when you invest in something big, not just the first time.

Answer 5

If this is your dream house, then make an offer. The offer is going to be contingent upon a house inspection where most problems (if they exist) will come to surface. You then decide what you want to do from there.

Answer 6

I would recommend contacting Chris Harris from http://scbuyshouses.com
He helps/coaches people with the negotiations process. Buys houses for a living...can't get any more experienced than that:)

Good Luck and Happy Home Buying!!

Answer 7

for the money pit get a home inspection .thay will show you everything good & bad.i still get scared i bought 5 in the last 8 years still have 4 .

Answer 8

Be a first time buyer.

Answer 9

just do it what fun is life without a little gambling