August 11, 2026

10 Biggest Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make

Buying your first home is exciting, but a handful of common missteps can make the process more stressful — and more expensive — than it needs to be. In this video, Katherine Brough walks through 10 of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make.

Among them: house-hunting before getting pre-approved, budgeting for only the down payment and not the full cost of ownership, stretching to the top of your budget, making large purchases during escrow, skipping the inspection, and not reviewing HOA documents closely.

If you're thinking about buying your first home in Orange County, understanding these pitfalls before you start your search can make for a much more confident decision. Reach out with questions about where to start.

Have a question about the OC market?

Katherine is happy to talk through what you saw here and how it applies to your situation.