People are always full of advice when they find out a friend or family is thinking about buying a home. Much of their information, however, can be misguided. There are many myths that people have been told over the years that may have been true at one time but no longer apply. Our real estate agents can help you avoid the most common myths and make the home-buying process much smoother for everyone involved.

• Don't Rush to Make an Offer – Buying a home is a huge investment for your future. Don't rush to make an offer on a home you really like. Take your time and think about all of the details. While you need to make your offer in a timely fashion, rushing into it may cause you to overlook important details.

• Be Ready to Negotiate – In today's market, there may be instances where a home will sell for more than the asking price. That isn't always the case, however. The majority of homes will sell below or at the asking price. Don't be afraid to negotiate. In some cases, you may have to counter once or twice, but don't always expect to pay more than the actual list price.

• Be Mindful of How Much Your Pre-Approval Amount Is – If you want to know how much house you can buy, you should plan your budget and get pre-approved by your lender. Once you've been pre-approved, you will have to check every few months or so to make sure you are still able to borrow the same amount. Your pre-approval may change due to economic trends or your own financial situation.

• Avoid Waiving Contingencies – During COVID, waiving contingencies was a common practice. Times are back to normal now and many of those contingencies are extremely important. Ask for an inspection and make sure that all of your questions are answered before you sign on the dotted line.

• You Aren't at the Sellers Mercy – Ask for concessions if you feel they are warranted. If you see something you want fixed or changed, talk to the seller. If the seller chooses not to work with you, it may be a sign of future difficulties. As long as your concessions aren't over the top, you have every right to make the request.

• 20% Down Isn't Always the Norm – Depending on the type of loan you apply for, many Crookston homes for sale will not require a full 20% down payment. There are a few loans available that will not require a down payment at all. Your real estate agent and the lender will help you find the right loan.

• Great Credit Isn't Required – Having good credit is the best way to get a mortgage, but great credit isn't always needed. Even if your credit isn't the best, if you have been making adjustments and your credit score is on the rise, your lender may take that into account.

• 30-Year Mortgages Aren't Always the Best Deal – 30-year mortgages may seem like the best deal, but only if you plan to live in the house for that amount of time. If you only plan on living there for 10 to 15 years, then a shorter-term mortgage may be y our best bet.

When you are ready to buy a home, get your information directly from a real estate agent. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns during the home-buying process. We can help you find the right answers for you!