8 Myths About Buying a House You Can Ignore

Buying a new house is super exciting. But it can also get a little bit stressful, especially if you’re doing it for the very first time. Along the way, you’re bound to come across plenty of well-meaning but not so accurate advice, including some common myths about buying a house that have seemed to sustain themselves over time despite plenty of evidence to the contrary.

Being able to spot—and debunk—these myths is important, both for your sanity during the home buying process and for your overall experience. And to help you do it, we’ve gathered eight of the most common myths about buying a house that you should be aware of, including a few that might really surprise you.

Don’t let any of these super common myths about buying a house hold you back in your home-buying search.

You can save money by choosing not to work with a real estate agent

Don’t buy in a seller’s market

You need to have 20% for your down payment

You need amazing credit to get a home loan

The loan amount you qualify for is how much you should spend

You should always choose the loan with the lowest interest rate

The amount a home is listed for is how much you’ll pay

Your mortgage payment is your only monthly home-related expense

Don’t let these myths about buying a house scare you from getting started. It’s true that buying a home is a costly endeavor and that it requires a lot more work than just finding a home you like and putting in an offer, but it’s also true that millions of people do it every year. With the right expectations and the right agent by your side, you should be able to buy a home you love—and that works with your budget.