After helping hundreds of buyers in Fort Mill, Waxhaw, and throughout the Charlotte metro area, I've seen the same mistakes over and over. Let me help you avoid these costly errors when you're buying your first home. The biggest mistake is not getting pre-approved before house hunting. I see buyers fall in love with homes in Ballantyne or Weddington only to discover they don't qualify for financing, or the process takes so long they lose the house to another buyer. Get pre-approved first, understand your budget, then start shopping

This also helps you move quickly in competitive markets. Don't skip the home inspection to make your offer more competitive. I get it – in hot markets like Indian Land or Marvin, you want your offer to stand out. But buying a house without an inspection is like buying a used car without popping the hood. You might save $500 on the inspection and end up with $10K in surprise repairs. There are other ways to make competitive offers while protecting yourself. Another huge mistake is draining all your savings for the down payment and closing costs

You need money left over for moving expenses, immediate repairs, and emergencies. Homeownership comes with unexpected costs, especially in your first year. Keep at least 3-6 months of expenses in reserve after closing. Don't ignore the total monthly cost of homeownership. Your mortgage payment is just the start – add property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, PMI, utilities, and maintenance. Many first-time buyers focus only on the mortgage payment and get surprised by everything else. Also, avoid making major purchases or financial changes during the loan process

That furniture can wait until after you get the keys to your new home in Pineville or Fort Mill.