The only thing more exciting than buying your first home is the day you move to it. And in their eagerness to get to that day, there are plenty of opportunities to ruin purchases. Here are some facepalm moments and tips for finding a house you will need to avoid them.

"I saw the house online; it's perfect: let's make an offer before it's gone!"

Buy a view of the house without being seen?!? Whoa, The online photos are fun, and that's it. Before planning the marriage after the equivalent in the house of swiping the finger to the right, consider this: It would be best if you worried about the photos that are not in the gallery. You will not see the cracks hastily arranged at the house's base. Or the mold in the attic. Your other senses need to evaluate the place. There could be traffic noise or a stinky leeward recycling plant. Three words: wide-angle lens. (They make small spaces look deceptively large). Then, before making an offer, go around the place. And the patio And the neighborhood. Worth it.

Related: What you really should know about buying a house online

"I want to buy this house, and look, here's an agent!"

While it may seem very convenient, it is not the best for you. The real estate agent in an open house probably represents the seller. That means they are required to work in that person's best interest. If you start discussing how you have been pre-approved for $285,000 but prefer to offer $260,000, you will compromise your negotiating position. As a buyer, you must hire a buyer's agent who works on your behalf. They will understand your wishes and needs, advise you according to your budget and priorities, and advise you during the negotiation process.

"I will trust an Estimator of online housing values."

Google "estimator of the value of the home," and you will get pages of tools that promise you a free estimate of the home's value. Connect the address to the device, some algorithms do their thing, and in seconds you will know what a house is worth. But unless that algorithm has been digging into the basement with a flashlight, it's a stadium figure at best. The valuation of the home is art and science. There are nuances within the house and the market that an online estimator can not see. What happens if the vendor made significant renovations last year? Or what happens if houses rarely turn up in the neighborhood, so there's not enough data to work online? Your agent knows the current market conditions and the inventory of homes in the market, which helps you make a nuanced offer. Use these fun tools as a guide, but do not take them to the bank.

"I do not have children, so I do not have to worry about school districts."

The school district matters regardless of your foster status. Whether you have children or not, a future buyer could do so. And neighborhoods with good school districts tend to maintain their value and appreciate faster than those in other areas. People want to live near good schools, which increases the value of homes and better amenities in the neighborhood.

"If a house does not have everything on my list, I'm not seeing it."

Make your list. Your list is essential. But use it as a starting point to help you prioritize because buyers who can prioritize are more successful. They convert that list into indispensable and pleasant elements and consider which essential elements could become wills. For example, you can change the laminate for quartz, but you can not move a country house next to your city office. Skip the listings in the wrong location, but why not check out the ones with the wrong counters? Perhaps the only thing you would enjoy more than quartz counters is the quartz counters you choose yourself. Not sure what your list should include? This worksheet can help you clarify your priorities: the definitive "I want to buy a house" checklist.

"I'm going to find out about this HOA thing after closing."

Homeowners' associations (HOAs) may seem like a friendly neighborhood organizations, but some have the power to limit their pets, restrict their parking and choose their paint colors. Because the way you live is as important to you as your place of residence, read and fully understand the agreements, conditions, and restrictions (CC & R) before buying. Restrictions that do not fit your lifestyle could be a deciding factor as a crumbling base.

There's never been a more important time to have resources you can count on when it comes to buying and selling a home. The real estate market and industry change at a rapid rate. It is my pleasure to make sure that you always have the current information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.