3 House-Hunting Myths To Bust Before You Search

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f you’re planning to look for a new place, it’s a proud moment. But it’s not always easy to know the process in and out, especially if it’s your first time doing so seriously, and so you’ll probably walk into it with a few assumptions that aren’t all that helpful. That’s not your fault per se, because a lot of the advice out there is either outdated, over-generalised, or built on second-hand stories for a property market that may have changed last time you had any kind of proximity to it.

Now, we’re not going to be cynical in this post. It’s just that when you’re making a big decision like this, it’s good to get rid of anything that might cloud your expectations early on so you don’t make a mistake. That way, you’ll waste less time chasing listings that don’t go anywhere, or fixating on things that were never going to be realistic for you in the first place.

As such, here are three of the most common house-hunting myths worth letting go of now, before the search really begins.

Myth 1: You Can Always Make An Offer Well Below Asking Price

This is the classic hope that you’re not silly for having, but the idea that sellers are expecting a cheeyk lowball and that the asking price is really just a starting point can be a little too unrealistic. In some cases, it can happen. But in plenty of others, especially in areas where demand is steady or growing, the asking price is the number for a reason. It takes a fair period of low interest for a seller to lower it, or great negotiation which you may not have at the moment.

It’s not rude to offer lower, but it’s not always realistic either.. If you fall in love with a place, then hesitate because you’re still waiting for a sign the seller’s desperate, you could be waiting for something that never happens.

Myth 2: You’ll Know It’s ‘The One’ Straight Away

It’s nice when this does happen, and sometimes it really does, but more often than not you’ll walk into a place and think “yeah, that’s nice” and then go home and let it sit in your mind for a small while. The idea that you’ll walk through the door and get hit with some unbelievable gut feeling isn’t always how it goes, as often it’s more gradual. 

It’s also not uncommon to see a few places, realise this one had more of what you need than you thought, then feel a bit of regret when you realise it’s no longer available. That’s why it helps to discover what’s on the market steadily, and not burn yourself out trying to force a lightning bolt moment. Remember if you plan to live in a home for years, you will mold it to your taste anyway.

Myth 3: Every House Needs A Bit Of Work, You Just Have To Live With It

While it’s true that most homes won’t tick absolutely every box, and compromises are normal, it doesn’t mean you should settle for something that feels like a headache from day one. There’s an obvious gulf between a place that needs a coat of paint and one that’s going to bleed your budget dry within the first year. It’s totally fine to walk away from something just because the kitchen layout doesn’t work for you, or the windows feel too small. You’re allowed to want the space to feel right. So if you keep saying “we can live with that” every five minutes, you’ll eventually realise you were trying to talk yourself into it from the start. Be mindful of those narratives you tell yourself, it could give you a little more insight into your taste.

With this advice, you’ll be certain to manage the house hunting myths to bust before you search your home.