Get new listings emailed daily! JOIN SIGN IN
CJ Davies
Broker / Sales Person
REALTOR®, ABR
(609) 713-8952
Facebook Icon LinkedIn Icon YouTube Icon Instagram Icon Zillow Icon 

5 Common Mistakes Made by First Time Home Buyers

 

The process of buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming.  It’s filled with missteps that any new home buyer could fall prey to. You want to buy a home you love and can afford but the steps you take can prevent you from achieving this dream. 

Avoid Home Buying Mistakes
Here are the 5 common mistakes first-time buyers often make and with advice on how you can avoid them.

  1. Not researching the costs of obtaining a mortage
    Many first-time buyers don't realize how expensive it is to borrow money.  Especially since that is only portion of the costs buyer sincurr when buying a home.  Just because your mortgage requires 3.5%-20% down payment doesn't mean that that's all you need in your savings.  It's important to understand the out of pocket costs so that you can plan on how much cash you can bring to the table which will drastically impact your purchasing power.  Get a detailed list of estimated closing costs HERE.                                                                              
  2. Not getting pre-approved for financing early on Before you can start shopping for a home, consider getting a pre-approved to know what the bank is willing to lend you and exactly which houses you can afford and which are out of your reach. It won’t make sense to place an offer on a home only to find out later that the lender won’t give you what you expected. Learn more about the types of mortgages HERE. Get Pre-Qualified HERE.

  3. Making decisions based on emotions 
    Real estate transactions are extremley emotional ordeals. There are a million ups and downs and extremley complicated negotiations that seerm to never end.  It is important to have an experienced negotiator like myself on your side to help you step back from a situation and handle it objectivley.  Sometimes, its easy to get so caught up in some of the personal details that you lose track of whats important and make poor decisions.  Read my reviews HERE and let me help you avoid costly mistakes that EVERYONE makes when they let their emotions lead the way.

  4. Messing up with your credit score before closing 
    Just because you’ve been pre-approved does not mean that the funding is guaranteed. A majority of lender decisions is based on your Debt to Income RatioDon't go out and buy a new car without talking to your loan officer first! A lender may reduce or withdraw the offer if your income levels or credit score changes drastically. While shopping for a home, pay credit balances, pay your bills on time, and avoid making major purchases using your credit card.

  5. Not hiring a REALTOR® / Calling Listing Agents Direct
    Some first-time buyers believe that they’ll be able to save money by not using the services of a real estate agent. There’s no cost to you for working with a REALTOR® since the commission is paid by the seller. A REALTOR® will give you truly independent advice and work in your best interests. Many buyers do not understand how agents make their money and what their duties are to their clients.  Agents only get paid for their hard work when a deal closes, they also have a Fiduciary right to their Sellers to do what is in their best interests.  As a buyer, obtaining an experienced and loyal agent upfront to handle all of your showings will save you time, effort and money.  To read more about Real Estate Ethics, click HERE.

As a first-time homebuyer, this may be your largest purchase ever and it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls so you can avoid them.

It's my goal to help you buy your home with confidence. Don't hesitate to contact me to get your buying journey started.  Contact me today 609-713-8952 CJDavies3@gmail.com 

 

  • 5 stars
    10
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 stars
    0

5 out of 5 based on 20 ratings.
0 user reviews.
Includes 10 Zillow reviews

CJ exceeded all of our expectations and helped us buy our dream home by the water. I grew up in North NJ so it was important to work with someone local to the area. He is extremely knowledgeable and helped us find solutions with some of the unexpected items that come with buying a home. He was responsive and attentive, and overall great to work with!

CJ did an amazing job for us. Having grown up in the area allows him to share a depth of knowledge about the area that others can’t. Not only is he extremely well aware of the market, but he has relationships with the very best professionals across the home-buying business and every other service you could imagine. It is very easy to see how well thought of he is in his profession by the relationships he has and his commitment to excellence in the home buying and selling process. Every obstacle that came our way was met with calm and resolve with CJ and he figures out solutions to include thinking outside the box. I can’t recommend CJ enough. He will always pick up his phone and get back to you. If, on the rare occasion he does not have the answer, he will hunt it down and get back to you promptly. He will exceed your expectations and make deals happen when others can’t.

CJ was amazing through the entire process of selling our home. He knows the ins and outs of the sale process and was able to catch a few things before they became an issue. Would recommend CJ for any real estate transaction you might be thinking about!

My wife and I had a great experience using CJ as our realtor. Being an out-of-state buyer presents some unique challenges. CJ accommodated all our requests. He was always available for phone calls and questions. I would recommend using his skills and expertise for your next home purchase.

Honesty, integrity and professionalism is what you can expect from CJ. He will guide you through the process, making it all so simple and smooth. He is very informative and helpful throughout it all. Thank you CJ. Looking forward to our next transaction.

CJ worked out great!! He helped us get where we wanted to be without bringing the ego and drama that we have experienced with previous realtors. Two thumbs up from this couple ????

CJ went above and beyond for our home buying experience. Extremely knowledgeable of the area and led us to the best in the field to bring us to closing as soon as possible. Extremely professional and genuine. We never doubted that he had our best interest at heart. Got us an amazing deal on our home. If you need a realtor look no further. As far as we are concerned, he is the best in the field and the only one we’d ever hire.

CJ is very professional and knowledgeable. He helped us to create an awesome listing and we received a solid offer right off the bat. He worked to help us find a home and even in a tricky situation, we were able to purchase a wonderful new home thanks to him and his team! I would highly recommend working with CJ if you're in the market!

Alissa Walkoviak

CJ is a standup guy. Always answers right away is very reliable and he has a great smile! The process of selling my house was quick and easy. No issues whatsoever. His knowledge of real estate saved me a huge headache in the long run and I'm soooooo grateful I chose CJ as my realtor. He honestly knows what hes doing it was a very good experience! I'm very happy

CJ made everything so easy. He knew what I was looking for and he delivered. He was able to streamline the process and get me to closing quickly. I am very, very pleased! It was a pleasure working with him.

1601 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008, Unit B

1601 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $1,061,950
  • List: $1,099,000
  • Square Feet: 2,360
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 4
  • Baths: 3.1
  • residential - condo
  • Represented: Seller

22 W Tebco Ter, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008

22 W Tebco Ter, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $448,650
  • List: $448,650
  • Square Feet: 1,440
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - single

22 Virginia AVENUE, Long Beach Township, Ne, 08008

22 Virginia AVENUE, Long Beach Township, Ne, 08008
  • Sold: $1,330,000
  • List: $1,330,000
  • Square Feet: 3,100
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 5
  • Baths: 4.1
  • residential - single

1903 Bay Terrace, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008

1903 Bay Terrace, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $875,000
  • List: $899,000
  • Square Feet: 2,240
  • Acres: 0.1
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 4
  • Baths: 3.1
  • residential - single

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 202, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 202, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $190,000
  • List: $199,900
  • Square Feet: 439
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 1
  • Baths: 1
  • residential - condo

304 W 17th St, Ship Bottom, NJ, 08008

304 W 17th St, Ship Bottom, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $349,900
  • List: $349,900
  • Square Feet: 1,152
  • Ship Bottom
  • multi - multiple

4 W. Maryland, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008

4 W. Maryland, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $227,500
  • List: $249,900
  • Square Feet: 865
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 1
  • residential - condo

102 Atlantis Ave, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050

102 Atlantis Ave, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050
  • Sold: $269,000
  • List: $269,000
  • Square Feet: 1,996
  • Stafford Township
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - single

23 Maplewood Dr, Little Egg Harbor, NJ, 08087

23 Maplewood Dr, Little Egg Harbor, NJ, 08087
  • Sold: $244,000
  • List: $249,900
  • Square Feet: 1,550
  • Little Egg Harbor
  • Beds: 2
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - single

116 Bark Rd, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050

116 Bark Rd, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050
  • Sold: $259,850
  • List: $259,850
  • Square Feet: 2,117
  • Stafford Township
  • Beds: 4
  • Baths: 3
  • residential - single

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 103, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 103, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $209,000
  • List: $209,000
  • Square Feet: 421
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 1
  • Baths: 1
  • residential - condo

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 300, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 300, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $403,000
  • List: $359,000
  • Square Feet: 960
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 3
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - condo

195 John St, Eagleswood, NJ, 08092

195 John St, Eagleswood, NJ, 08092
  • Sold: $154,000
  • List: $159,500
  • Square Feet: 855
  • Acres: 0.3
  • Eagleswood
  • Beds: 2
  • Baths: 1
  • residential - single

4412 Gloucester Dr, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008

4412 Gloucester Dr, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $1,575,000
  • List: $1,729,000
  • Square Feet: 2,042
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 4
  • Baths: 2.1
  • residential - single

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 104, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 104, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $195,000
  • List: $199,000
  • Square Feet: 492
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 1
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - condo

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 203, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 203, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $205,000
  • List: $189,000
  • Square Feet: 548
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 1
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - condo

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 102, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008

204 S Atlantic Ave unit 102, Beach Haven, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $299,000
  • List: $299,000
  • Square Feet: 816
  • Beach Haven
  • Beds: 2
  • Baths: 2
  • residential - condo

113 Roxie Ave, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008

113 Roxie Ave, Long Beach Township, NJ, 08008
  • Sold: $1,860,000
  • List: $2,000,000
  • Square Feet: 2,900
  • Long Beach Township
  • Beds: 5
  • Baths: 3
  • residential - single

224 Yeoman Rd, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050

224 Yeoman Rd, Stafford Township, NJ, 08050
  • Sold: $355,000
  • List: $359,900
  • Square Feet: 2,951
  • Stafford Township
  • Beds: 4
  • Baths: 3.1
  • residential - single

Have Questions?

Ask a Question
  • Services of Interest
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/17/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/17/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Fri 04/17/2026 7:03:22 PM EST) or Bright MLS (last updated Fri 04/17/2026 8:10:12 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Davies & DeGennaro may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility

Login to My Homefinder

Pixel