The Buying Decision

Who should make the decision on the home you buy? The decision to buy a home is an important step. In fact, it is often the biggest financial transaction of our lives. Because of its importance, some of us look to other people for advice when we begin our house hunting. 

If you are receiving money from parents, other relatives, or friends, you often feel obliged to bring them along to see how they feel about a particular home you may be considering. There are also some situations in which you really don't have a choice. The person giving you the money prefers that they have a voice in the final decision. 

Whatever the reason may be, I think it is a good idea to seek advice from others if this helps you become more comfortable with your final buying decision. Many things must be considered. Is the price fair? Will this purchase be a wise investment? Where do I get the financing? 

There is a difference, however, between asking for advice and actually letting others make the decision for you. Get all the advice you need, but it will be best in the long run if you make the final decision on your own. After all, it is you who will be living in the house. Many times, friends and relatives mean well by giving advice. Some of them have had a great deal of experience in buying and selling real estate and feel that they can make a better decision than you. I have seen this happen on many occasions over the years and it usually doesn't work out too well. It is not good to have one person make the decision while someone else must live with the consequences. 

One of the greatest areas of conflict involves the subject of personal taste. Only you know if you like a home and would want to live in it. A well-meaning advisor may not share your personal tastes and prefer that you buy something else. They don't want you to buy a certain home because they wouldn't want to live in it themselves. 

ADVICE: The decision to buy or not to buy is important and very personal. Listen to advice but be willing to make the decision that is best for you. You may have to live with it for a long time.