25 Unspoken Rules for First-Time Home Buyers: A Viral Reddit Revelation

Roy

2 years ago

Buckle up, future homeowners, because we're about to unveil the secrets that the real estate industry doesn't want you to know! In this eye-opening post, we present 25 invaluable, unspoken rules for first-time home buyers. Sourced from a viral Reddit thread where experienced homeowners spilled the beans, these rules are your golden ticket to navigating the treacherous terrain of home buying. From hidden fees to negotiation tactics, from neighborhood red flags to mortgage traps, consider this your crash course in real estate reality. We delve deep into the collective wisdom of those who've braved the tumultuous waters of property acquisition and emerged victorious. So, if you're on the brink of your first home purchase, grab a pen, take notes, and prepare to outsmart the system.

rules for first time home buyers What's a mistake you made as a first time homeowner that seems ridiculous now, but made sense at the time? This is a safe space! Hindsight is 20/20, and some lessons are learnt the hard way. But we all got 'em... I'll start: not being present for the inspection. I was across the country, in the weeds at work, and completely burnt out from the mortgage/loan process. My realtor was an old friend I'd went to school with, and he promised to be my eyes and ears. He didn't screw me over completely or anything, but was obviously more interested in closing the deal, and I trusted him way too much. All things considered it turned out ok, but had I been present/had the bandwith I definitely would have been more thorough, asked more questions, done more research, etc. 2 yrs. later and I'm still finding things that should've been flagged... how bout

rules for first time home buyers Didn't stay on top of the cosmetic things over thirteen years. The carpet was a bit worn, but no biggie. Could stand to replace the wallpaper in the bathroom with paint, but no biggie. Never did rehang that towel bar but I was a single dude, so no biggie. Refrigerator works but occasionally makes a noise like a clucking chicken, no biggie. And on and on. Filled multiple handwritten pages. Until I wanted to move. All those no biggie issues became about nine months of doing not much else with my weekends and evenings. With my current house I now stay on top of that stuff. Never again. I've decided that if I'm going to do obvious things prior to the sale of my home, I ask myself, "Would this improve MY experience living here? If so, why am I only gifting this to future homeowners and not enjoying it myself?" That makes the sting of the cost go away and helps me think of many "nice to have" items as investments.

rules for first time home buyers Could have bought the adjacent lot, it wouldn't have made a big impact on our mortgage payment, but we didn't. So a crazy couple build a house there and we were stuck with them for years. When my parents bought their 40acres in the early 80s they could have bought the adjacent 35acres for sub $20k. Fast forward to the late 90s/early 2000s and that 35acres is bought and there's an 800 person church illegally built there.. ...Big oof

rules for first time home buyers I had a main line clog (but didn't know that). I couldn't get a snake through the toilet to flush out whatever clog seemed to be affecting that particular toilet. I flushed the other toilet and it worked (but it was at a slightly higher elevation). So I pulled the toilet. Shit water everywhere, flooding upwards from the flange. The wax seal came apart when I pulled the toilet, and It had to be gallons before I got it plugged. I had to cut six inches from my drywall in the whole bathroom and throw away all the trim.

rules for first time home buyers I didn't call before I dug...hit a gasline. Such a doofus mistake and one I'II never make again. Gas guy was super cool about it though after I admitted my shame. In the end, came out pretty unscathed both physically and financially thank goodness.

rules for first time home buyers Two story house with all the bedrooms upstairs and the laundry was at the opposite end of the house on the lower level. The builder suggested moving the laundry to the second floor since it was a floor plan change they'd done before. My mother in law talked us out of it because it would change the guest room layout. Regretted that decision every time I carried laundry baskets up and down the damn stairs.

rules for first time home buyers Thinking everything was an emergency

rules for first time home buyers Doors come in different sizes. Fun facts.

rules for first time home buyers I filled the outside weep holes in brick thinking the mortar fell out.

rules for first time home buyers Going with an inspector the realtor recommended. Regret it every day We did the reverse - we picked an inspector, walked with him as he inspected the crappy little foreclosure we were pursuing, and we were pals by the end of it. He suggested we keep looking because this house was a mess, and got us in touch with our agent who turned out to be awesome.

rules for first time home buyers Didn't think about the combination of a disabled parent plus only one bathroom, which was upstairs.

Armed with these 25 unspoken rules, you're not just a first-time home buyer; you're a savvy, informed contender in the real estate arena. The wisdom shared here isn't just practical advice; it's a shield against potential pitfalls. As you embark on your home-buying journey, remember: you're not alone. Thousands before you have walked this path and, thanks to their shared experiences, you now have a roadmap. So, here's to smart decisions, wise investments, and a future filled with the comfort of home. May your ventures in the world of real estate be marked by confidence and, of course, a touch of smugness as you outwit the complexities of property transactions.

Roy

Roy R., Chief Meme Curator Roy founded Thunder Dungeon in 2012 and has since guided its growth into a 2.5 million‑strong community of meme enthusiasts. With over a decade of digital‑media experience and a nose for viral humor, Roy oversees content strategy, ensuring every post is both hilarious and high‑quality