Pasadena real estate buyers can avoid regrets by understanding the process

By understanding what to expect -- and taking the time to evaluate your needs carefully -- you can make your purchase with confidence.

A Chase Bank survey of 807 recent homebuyers asked them to consider how they felt about the purchase of their home and what they might change if they had to do it over.

Here’s a look at some of the issues home buyers wished they’d understood better when shopping for real estate.

Financing from offer to closing: Fifty-six percent of buyers reported that they should have known more about financing before buying their home -- especially the closing process, which can include fees that take some buyers by surprise.

Selecting the home type/size and location: Some buyers under- or over-estimate the amount of space their family needs. Others overextend themselves on the price, or realize they haven’t taken enough time to evaluate the neighborhood.

The timeline for buying real estate: A home loan can take 40 to 45 days to process, or even longer if you’re using a more specialized loan program. Cash transactions have a quicker turnaround, but very few deals are processed overnight.

The expenses that come with home ownership: Thirty-four percent of survey takers underestimated the maintenance expenses that came with purchasing a home.