5 Costly Home Buying Mistakes to Avoid — A Realtor’s Advice for Smart Buyers.

by Richard Valdez - www.RichardValdezRE.com

Here’s the truth:

buying a home is exciting, but it’s also the fastest way to make some really expensive mistakes if you’re not careful. I’ve been in real estate long enough to know the difference between a smart move and a disaster waiting to happen. So let me give it to you straight —

here are five “don’ts” you need to remember when buying a home.

Don’t #1: Don’t start looking before you’re pre-approved.

Shopping without pre-approval is like walking into a store without your wallet. You’ll fall in love with something you can’t have, and nothing after that will measure up.

I once had a young couple who toured a Victorian condo in Eureka Valley before talking to a lender. They were smitten. The problem? They qualified for $150K less than the asking price — and no other home ever compared. They wasted six months chasing a unicorn.

Don’t #2: Don’t shop at the very top of your range.

The bank might tell you what you can afford, but only you know what you’re comfortable living with. Leave yourself breathing room — because life doesn’t stop for your mortgage.

I knew a newlywed couple who bought right up to their limit. When their first baby came early — along with medical bills and daycare — that “dream home” quickly became a financial nightmare. Buy smart, not stretched.

Don’t #3: Don’t wait until you’ve saved 20%.

If you’re holding out for the “perfect” down payment, you’ll be waiting forever. There are smart, safe ways to buy with less. Don’t let perfection cost you opportunity.

I purchased my first condo years ago with just 5% down on a modest one-bedroom in Potrero Hill. Three years later, I sold it and rolled the equity into a larger two-bedroom condo in Eureka Valley — and collected rent that nearly covered the mortgage. I sold it five years later for more than 135% over the original purchase price.

Don’t #4: Don’t get too emotionally invested.

Falling head over heels for one house blinds you to the problems. And trust me, no one wants to discover a money pit after the honeymoon phase.

I’ll never forget the buyer who ignored inspection red flags because the kitchen had marble counters and a wine fridge. Six months later? Foundation repairs that cost more than the fridge — and the wine — combined. Ouch.

Don’t #5: Don’t forget to do your research.

Neighborhoods, schools, resale value, appreciation — this isn’t just where you live, it’s where you invest. Treat it like a business decision, not just a personal one.

I knew a client who skipped the research and bought in a “trendy” area — only to find out a month later that a major highway expansion was planned two blocks away. Loud, dusty, and slow to appreciate. One phone call to the city planner’s office could’ve saved them the headache.

The bottom line?

Buying a home isn’t about chasing a fantasy, it’s about making smart, confident choices that build your future. That’s how you win in real estate. I’m Richard Valdez, your trusted realtor in San Francisco. Visit me at www.RichardValdezRE.com — let’s make sure your next home is not just where you live, but one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

Buying a home is not just an emotional decision — it's one of the biggest financial moves you'll ever make. Choose wisely, not impulsively." — Richard Valdez