Top 10 Legal Mistakes Home Buyers Make

1. Not realizing that if you don’t write a strong offer to purchase the seller may reject or not respond to your offer.

2. Not realizing that if you don’t write a strong offer to purchase, you may lose the property to another more highly motivated buyer.

3. Not realizing that without a confidentiality agreement the seller need not treat your offer as confidential.

4. Not understanding when a contract becomes legally binding.

5. Entering into an agreement before checking title records, liens, and other things to ascertain whether the seller will be able to close escrow as scheduled.

6. Not understanding the legal implications of loan and inspection contingencies, and other contractual provisions.

7. Not obtaining a sellers disclosures.

8. Not conducting your own inspections and investigations as a buyer.

9. Not fully considering the legal, tax, credit and other ramifications of home ownership, especially co-ownership.

10. Not properly handling a claim for property defects discovered after close of escrow.