1. Looking for a home without being pre-approved.
Pre-approval and pre-qualification are two different things. During the pre-qualification process, a loan officer asks you a few questions, then hands you a "pre-qual" letter. The pre-approval process is much more thorough. During the pre-approval process, the mortgage company does virtually all the work associated with obtaining full loan approval. Since there is no property yet identified to purchase, however, an appraisal and title search aren't conducted. When you're pre-approved, you have much more negotiating clout with the seller. The seller knows you can close the transaction because a lender has carefully reviewed your income, assets, credit and other relevant information. In some cases (multiple offers, for example), being pre-approved can make the difference between buying and not buying a home. Also, you can save thousands of dollars as a result of being in a better negotiating situation. Most good Realtors will not show you homes until you are pre-approved. At the very least, Realtors expect their prospective buyers to get pre-qualified with a lender that the Realtor knows and trusts. They don't want to waste your time, their time, or the seller's time. Most mortgage companies will help you become pre-approved at little or no cost, and pre-qualification is free and can take little more time than a short phone call.

2. Choosing a lender because they have the lowest rate. Not getting a written good-faith estimate.
While the interest rate is important, you have to consider the overall cost of your loan. Pay close attention to the APR, loan fees, discount and origination points. Some lenders include discount and origination points in their quoted points. Other lenders may only quote discount points, when in fact there is an additional origination point (or fraction of a point). This difference in the way points are sometime quoted is important to you. One lender will quote all points, while another lender may disclose an extra point, or fraction thereof, at a later time--an unwelcome surprise. Within 3 working days after receipt of your completed loan application, your mortgage company is required to provide you with a written good-faith estimate of closing costs. You may want to consider requesting a GFE from a few lenders before submitting your application. With a few GFEs to compare, you can get a feel for which lenders are more thorough, and you can educate yourself regarding the costs associated with your transaction. The GFE with the highest costs may not indicate that a particular lender is more expensive than another--in fact, they may be more diligent in itemizing all fees. The cost of the mortgage, however, shouldn't be your only criteria. There is no substitute for asking family and friends for referrals and for interviewing prospective mortgage companies. You must also feel comfortable that the loan officer you are dealing with is committed to your best interests and will deliver what they promise.

3. Not getting a rate lock in writing.
When a mortgage company tells you they have locked your rate, get a written statement detailing the interest rate, the length of the rate lock, and other particulars about the program.

4. Buying a home without professional inspections. Taking the seller's word that repairs have been made.
Unless you're buying a new home with warranties on most equipment, it is highly recommended that you get a full property inspection. This report will give you a better picture of what you're buying. Inspection reports are great negotiating tools when it comes to asking the seller to make repairs. If a professional home inspector states that certain repairs need to be made, the seller is more likely to agree to making them. If the seller agrees to make repairs, have your inspector verify the completed work prior to close of escrow. Do not assume that everything will be done as promised.

5. Not shopping for home insurance until you are ready to close.
Start shopping for insurance as soon as you have an accepted offer. Many buyers wait until the last minute to get insurance and find they have no time left to shop around. Ask your Realtor and your lender for references, and check with the company that provides your auto and/or renter's insurance. Sometimes they'll package all your insurance needs at a discount.

6. Signing documents without reviewing them.
Don't sign documents in a hurry. As soon as possible, review the documents you'll be signing at close of escrow--including a copy of all loan documents. Ask your Realtor or your escrow officer to give you a copy of your preliminary closing statement the day before you go into sign your papers. This document tabulates all the charges associated with the cost of buying your home. Questions? Call your Realtor or your lender and ask for an explanation. Remember, do not expect to read all the documents during the closing. There is rarely enough time to do that.

7. Making moving plans that don't work.
You expect to move out of your current residence on Friday and into your new residence over the weekend. Also on Friday, your lease terminates and the movers are scheduled to appear. Friday morning arrives: bags packed, boxes stacked, children under arm and the dog on a leash. You're sitting on your front door stoop awaiting the arrival of the movers. Your phone rings. Your loan closing is delayed until the following Tuesday. The new tenants turn into your driveway with a weighted-down U-Haul and the movers pull up across the street. You ask yourself, "Where's the nearest Motel 6 and storage facility? How much will the movers charge for an extra trip? Can we afford it?" How can you avoid such a disaster? Go over your moving plans with your Realtor at the time you write your offer to buy your home. Ask your Realtor to help devise a strategy to avoid the worst. Consider this: If you make plans to move into your new home a week before you're slated to move from your old home (or rental) you'll be paying for two residences that week. Consider that the extra expense is an insurance policy. You're buying peace of mind--and protecting yourself from expensive delays.