Right from the time you start looking for a home to the time you close escrow, there is a lot to consider and many decisions to make. Making mistakes along this journey is not something new. But with the current financial standards, making mistakes will end up wasting your hard earned money. 
You need to avoid the mistakes at all costs, but how?
Below are some five mistakes that are very common among home buyers, and ways to avoid them
Expecting to negotiate a lower a price after making a deal.
In many cases, homes sell for more than the asking price since the real estate industry has been on fire. A couple of buyers will simply bid higher to win only to end up trying to get the prices down by requesting inspection credits during escrow. This can only work in weaker markets. Avoid this mistake. Most sellers nowadays have other backup offers from other buyers who would do anything to have the house. Never ask for unwarranted credits it could scare the seller, make them question your loyalty and decision making skills, and you will be left out of the deal.
Working with the lender with the lowest rate.
It’s never a good idea to buy anything based solely on price ~ the same is true for choosing a lender. Every day there are hundreds of deals across America that do not close, because a lender has failed to do their due diligence on you, and they have failed to meet the basic deadlines of the contract. You see teaser ads every day for the cheapest car, lowest cell phone service & best prices on groceries this is no different for lenders, but there is always something not quite disclosed! Do yourself a huge favor, and ask your gay realtor for a referral to a reputable lender, and save time, money and frustration.
Trying to shave every penny off a deal.
It’s true that everyone wants to strike the perfect deal but there are some dangers involved in the process. Pushing too hard with the seller can tell a lot about you. Win-win always works best give and take. If you attempt to shave every possible negotiation in your absolute favor, the seller might decide that you are too difficult to work with, and that he/she is no longer interested in any of your deals.
Use the advice of your professional gay realtor ~ they negotiate deals every day, and typically can lead you in the right direction.
Trying to find the perfect home yourself, without the help of a professional gay realtor.
The simple fact is ~ a large number of the homes you are finding on-line in your searches, may not even be on the market any longer. A huge sum of money is involved in buying a home, so you have to do everything to make a wise investment, including working with a professional buyer’s broker.
Agents have a strong connection to the local market and know the hot spots of getting homes that are in accordance to your preference or choice. To buy a home in many cities today, you need access to them the minute they hit the market, you also need access to properties before they hit the market ~ this is where your professional full time gay realtor will be invaluable.
This will give you an added major advantage once you specify to them the kind of home you need and the price which you feel comfortable with. Plus you can trust your agent to assist you with areas you are not experienced with.
Not looking at your purchase like a seller.
There will come a time where you need to sell your home and therefore it is important to think like a seller. What are the future expectations of your home? Do you plan to sell it later on? Consider yourself a potential seller in the future and see that you make someone’s dream of owning a good home a reality. The last thing you can ever imagine doing is buying a home that won’t sell in the future. Funky is fun, but probably not a great idea when it comes to buying a home, unless you have the opportunity to take some of the functional obsolescence out of the home and turn a nice profit in the future.
Author Jeff Hammerberg is the Founding CEO of GayRealEstate.com. Free Instant Access to the Nation’s Top Gay, Lesbian and Gay Friendly Realtors Coast to Coast. FREE Buyers Representation ~ Free Relocation Kit to any City, USA ~ Free Sellers Market Analysis for home sellers.