8 things to avoid when purchasing a home

The last thing in the world you would ever want is to spend a bunch of time searching for a home, finding that perfect place and then not being approved for your mortgage. There are also many common mistakes homebuyers make that could make the process much more painful than it has to be.

We’re writing this article because we know how stressful it can be to buy a house. In order to make your process easier, we are going to cover the 9 things you shouldn’t do when buying a home.

1) Don’t overestimate your budget.

Ever heard the expression “House poor“? Many homebuyers overestimate what they can actually afford and end up with very little wiggle room financially. Before jumping into buying, make sure you have a realistic idea of the yearly costs involved with owning a home.

Remember, there is your mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs. All of this before you even think about making upgrades. Factor in all the costs and leave yourself some room.

2) Don’t let your emotions run wild.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It’s normal to be excited and fall in love with a home. However, try to keep a level head. Falling in love with a home can cloud your judgement or end in disappointment. This can happen if unforeseen issues are exposed in the inspection or if someone puts in an offer before you.

If you don’t find a home… don’t get discouraged. Home searching can be a lengthy process. It will be worth it when you find the winner.

3) Don’t talk to sellers about plans for the house.

As much as you are excited to get in and put your personal touch on the home, it’s best to keep this to yourself. Sometimes home buyers meet and get to know the home owners. This is fine, but remember that the current owner will have an emotional attachment to the property.

It’s best not to make them feel like you’re going to come in and completely change the place. If you make conversation with the owners, just keep the conversation light.

4) Don’t withdraw or deposit a lot of cash.

Going further with your financial history, cash withdraws and deposits also play a part in your mortgage approval rate. Large quantities of cash going in or out of your accounts signals a warning sign that you do not have stability. Avoid any sporadic withdraws or deposits of large sums of cash.

5) Don’t apply for more credit.

The amount you are approved for on your mortgage comes down to your capital. How much money do you have at your disposal? Applying for extra credit increases your debt. This extra debt decreases the amount you will be approved for on a mortgage.

6) Don’t co-sign a loan.

While a loan may not technically be yours – it will still equally count towards your overall debt. Co-signing a loan can have an impact on not only the amount of your mortgage, but approval rate in general. Avoid co-signing any loans until you have purchased your home.

7) Don’t finance a car or furniture.

As financing is again a loan, it is therefore debt. Stay away from financing a car or furniture for the above mortgage approval reasons.

8) Don’t switch or leave your job.

Financial stability is one of the most important factors considered when a bank is approving your mortgage. The key to financial stability is having a dependable income. If you switch or leave your job, often or before applying for a mortgage, this may signal red flags.

If you are thinking about a move, hang tight with your job until after your mortgage is approved.

Ensure you don’t make these mistakes

There are many important things to consider when purchasing a home. It is one of the biggest decisions of your life.

In order to ensure that you get the house you want, when you want it, you need to understand and follow those above tips. Doing so will increase your chances of finding that perfect home and getting it. Remember that financials are very important when it comes time to apply for a mortgage. Make that your priority.

Also keep in mind the emotional aspects of purchasing a home and try to stay cool. It can be a draining process, but it will be worth it when you get the keys to the castle!

Are you looking for a home in the area? Give me a call. I’d love to help you find a home (and make sure you make none of the above mistakes in the process!)

About the Author

Owner/Broker of Allen Adams Realty


Bill Adams, a North Carolina native, is founder and Owner/Broker of Allen Adams Realty, a boutique agency focused on personalized real estate services. The name “Allen Adams Realty” is derived from Bill’s full given name which is William Allen Adams.


Bill, after obtaining both a real estate sales license and an appraisal license, began his real estate career in 1998 after successful careers in the racing and automotive industries. First, a concentration on real estate appraisal services allowed Bill to gain detailed knowledge and insights into the many different facets of the greater Lake Norman and Charlotte metro real estate markets. This allowed Bill to truly understand real estate values and local markets and expand into doing both appraisal and real estate sales. Then in 2004, armed with his experience, knowledge, and expertise, Bill started his own firm and called it Allen Adams Realty. In the early years of his new firm Bill continued to do both real estate appraisal and sales and then after the downturn of the market in the late 2000’s Bill has focused solely on real estate sales.


Bill strives for excellence in all aspects of his relationship with each and every client and prides himself on providing premier dedicated and personal professional service. Bill has successfully represented a wide range of clientele from international high-end luxury buyers to young families buying their first home. Through his wide reaching marketing he has also developed a large part of his business helping those buying second homes on Lake Norman or relocating to the area. Bill’s varied background and seasoned experience has made him a trusted and highly rated expert, which has been validated by being awarded multiple Five Star Professional Award for Real Estate awards. An award given to only the top 7% of real estate agents in the entire Charlotte market area.


On a personal note, Bill has lived most of his life in North Carolina and has lived in the Lake Norman area since 1997. He currently lives in the wonderful small college town of Davidson with his lovely wife Lindsey, beautiful daughter, and beloved dog. Beyond real estate, he enjoys boating on the lake, spending time with friends and family, most all things motorsports, cars, motorcycles, Panthers football, being active, hiking and exploring in the nearby mountains, vacations to the beach, traveling, as well as many other things.