Dated: November 21 2024
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No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home.
That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear of each one.
Many buyers are trying to time the market by waiting for home prices or mortgage rates to drop. This can be a really risky strategy because there’s so much at play that can have an impact on those things. As Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says:
“My advice for buyers is don’t try to time the market. There are a lot of swing factors, like the upcoming jobs report and the presidential election, that could cause the housing market to take unexpected twists and turns. If you find a house you love and can afford to buy it, now’s not a bad time.”
If you’re tempted to stretch your budget a bit further than you should, you’re not alone. A number of buyers are making this mistake right now.
But the truth is, it’s actually really important to avoid overextending your budget, especially when other housing expenses like home insurance and taxes are on the rise. You want to talk to the pros to make sure you understand what’ll really work for you. Bankrate offers this advice:
“Focus on what monthly payment you can afford rather than fixating on the maximum loan amount you qualify for. Just because you can qualify for a $300,000 loan doesn’t mean you can comfortably handle the monthly payments that come with it along with your other financial obligations.”
Saving up for the upfront costs of homeownership takes some careful planning. You’ve got to think about your closing costs, down payment, and more. And if you don’t work with a team of experienced professionals, you could miss out on programs out there that can make a big difference for you. This is happening more than you realize.
According to Realtor.com, almost 80% of first-time buyers qualify for down payment assistance – but only 13% actually take advantage of those programs. So, talk to a lender about your options. Whether you’re buying your first house or your fifth, there may be a program that can help.
This last one may be the most important of all. The very best way to avoid making a mistake that’s going to cost you is to lean on a pro. With the right team of experts, you can easily dodge these missteps.
The good news is you don’t have to deal with any of these headaches. Let’s connect so you have a pro on your side who can help you avoid these costly mistakes.
Clif and Katherine Cheek, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, have joined forces with Clif’s parents, Larry and Cherri Cheek, to create The Cheek Team, a boutique brokerage that stands out for its perso....
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Copyright © 2026 of the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® MLS. This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Neither the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS®, nor the listing broker, nor their agents or subagents, are responsible for the accuracy of the information. The buyer is responsible for verifying all information. This information is provided by the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® for use by its members and is not intended for any other purpose. Broker ReciprocitySM information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
This data is updated on a daily basis. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. September 25, 2026 2:58 PM UTC
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than The Cheek Team may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved.
Last Updated: September 25, 2026 2:53 PM UTC
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The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Hive MLS LLC, and is updated as of September 25, 2026 2:11 PM UTC All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor The Cheek Team shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints, and shall be held totally harmless from any damages
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