Quiz: Are You Ready to Be a Better Homebuyer than Your Competition?
The Lighter Side of Real Estate • February 21, 2023
You have to go to school and pass a real estate exam in order to become a real estate agent to help people buy a house, but you don’t need to do either of those things as a home buyer. All you have to do is rely on the knowledge and experience of your agent, and you’ll be fine.
However, your agent can be a lot more effective and help you get better results if you know a few things ahead of time! Some of the “right” things you should do are probably different than what you might think is the “right” thing to do.
Here’s a quick quiz to see how savvy you are without even going to real estate school or spending years in the field! The answers will be at the bottom…but no peeking!
(Don’t sweat it if you get some answers wrong on this quiz; even getting an answer wrong will teach you something. It’s better to learn from mistakes now than to make them when you’re in the process of buying a house!)
- True or false: You need a 20% down payment to buy a home.
- True or false: You don’t need perfect credit to buy a house.
- When you want to see inside a house you should
a) Call the listing agent to see the house.
b) Knock on the door and see if the owner can show you around.
c) Use the virtual tour and submit an offer.
d) Have a dedicated buyer’s agent you’re working with schedule a day and time to show you the house. - When should you get pre-approved for a mortgage?
a) Before you even start looking at houses.
b) Once you find a house you want to make an offer on.
c) Never; it’s not necessary.
d) After your agent has asked you to do so for the 11th time. - Which of the following shouldn’t you go out and buy before your mortgage is approved and you’ve closed on your new home?
a) Groceries.
b) A new car.
c) A nice gift for the agent who is helping you buy a house.
d) A bottle of champagne to pop open on the day of your closing. - How long should you wait to go see a house once it is listed?
a) Go as soon as you and your agent can possibly go to see the house.
b) Wait until there is an open house.
c) Give it a few weeks so the owner doesn’t think you’re anxious, excited, or even all that interested in the house, so you have more leverage to negotiate.
d) Wait until they reduce the price at least once. - Once you find a house you like, which of the following should you do?
a) Sleep on it, and give it some thought before rushing in with an offer.
b) Keep looking at every house on the market until you’ve seen them all. Then wait a couple of weeks to see if any more come on. If it’s still on the market, then you can make an offer.
c) Don’t wait; make an offer on the house right away.
d) Check your horoscope to see if it’s a good time for you to make an offer. - Your home inspection can be done by:
a) A friend or relative who is a contractor, or has at least bought two homes in their life.
b) You and your agent, using a checklist of things to look for.
c) A licensed home inspector.
d) A real estate appraiser chosen by your mortgage lender - Which of the following things found during a home inspection should you ask the homeowner to address?
a) Carpet that has pet stains.
b) A furnace that isn’t working
c) Squeaky door hinges
d) An old stove that is working fine, but probably going to need to be replaced in a few years. - What is the purpose of the appraisal?
a) So you can see how accurate the Zestimate for the house actually was.
b) To make sure the house is in good condition and everything is working properly.
c) For the seller to figure out if your offer is acceptable or not.
d) For the lender to make sure the house is worth what you’re paying for it, before agreeing to lend you the money to buy it.
OK, let’s see how you did on the quiz! Here are the correct answers:
- False. You don’t need a 20% down payment in order to buy a house. There are mortgages that require as little as 3.5% down!
- True. While having excellent credit is helpful, there are plenty of mortgage programs for people with credit scores that aren’t perfect.
- d) Have a dedicated buyer’s agent you’re working with schedule a day and time to show you the house. (It’s better to have one dedicated agent representing your interests as a buyer, than it is to call the agent who is listing any house you want to see.)
- a) Before you even start looking at houses. (It helps you know what you can afford so you avoid wasting time and disappointment by looking at houses you can’t buy.)
- b) A new car. (In fact, don’t make any large purchases or take on any new credit until your loan is approved or closed.)
- a) Go as soon as you and your agent can possibly go to see the house. (If it’s a house you’re interested in, there’s bound to be other buyers interested. The quicker you can get there, the better…regardless of whether the market is “hot” or not.)
- c) Don’t wait; make an offer on the house right away. (Refer back to the explanation for #6…)
- c) A licensed home inspector. (Doesn’t matter how many houses someone you know has bought, or how handy they are, only a licensed home inspector should do your home inspection.)
- b) A furnace that isn’t working. (Home inspection requests should be kept to issues that are operational or structural in nature, not cosmetic, minor, or a potential future issue.)
- d) For the lender to make sure the house is worth what you’re paying for it, before agreeing to lend you the money to buy it. (Coincidentally, the appraiser’s value can be as inaccurate as a Zestimate at times, but your agent can help you contest it, or request a second appraisal if it is way off from what you’re paying.)
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A recent Realtor.com article explored whether single-family or multifamily homes build wealth faster. Spoiler alert: it’s single-family homes. At least, that’s what the data suggests. But if you take that at face value, it can make buying a multifamily property sound like a bad decision. The truth is, there’s no way to say that’s absolutely true. Real estate values depend on too many variables to base such a big decision on a headline—or even on solid data that might be right most of the time. The right property, at the right price, in the right market could easily turn that claim on its head. The bigger question isn’t which property type performs better on average. It’s which one makes the most sense for you. For plenty of buyers, a multifamily property can actually help them build equity faster than if they bought a single-family home. In fact, it could be a smarter financial and lifestyle decision for you even if it doesn’t build more equity as quickly. Because for a growing number of buyers, it’s not just about which type of home builds equity faster. It’s about which one fits the needs of their family, or simply makes owning a home at all possible. Is a Multifamily Home Right for You? There are plenty of reasons someone might choose a multifamily property over a traditional single-family home, and it doesn’t always have to be about chasing rental income or investment returns. Of course they’re often owned by investors who are using them to generate income and build wealth, but here are a few types of buyers that also could benefit from buying one: Buyers who can’t quite make the numbers work on a single-family home. For many people, buying a single-family home just isn’t realistic right now. A duplex or triplex can make the math work by generating income from the other units. That rental income can help cover a big portion of the mortgage, sometimes bringing monthly costs down to what they’d pay in rent—or even less. First-time buyers who want to get into the market sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting and saving for years to afford a single-family home, buying a small multifamily property can be a faster entry point. Living in one unit allows you to qualify for a primary residence mortgage, which often comes with better terms than an investor loan. Multigenerational families who need both space and proximity. More families are living together these days, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to share the same kitchen. (Or more importantly…bathrooms!) Multifamily homes let extended families live under one roof while still having privacy and independence. Buyers who want to turn their first home into a long-term investment. A multifamily home can be a stepping stone. Live in one unit for a few years, build equity, and when you’re ready to move into a single-family home, you can keep the multifamily as an income-producing property. People who simply like the flexibility. Life changes. Maybe you’ll rent out a second unit now, and in the future use it for aging parents, college kids, or a home office. Owning a property with built-in options gives you more ways to adapt as your needs evolve. Making the Best Choice Starts With an Open Mind… And Some Advice Whether you thought owning a house at all was out of the question, or buying a single-family home has been your goal, it’s worth keeping multifamily properties on your radar. They’re not just for investors or people chasing rental income—they can be a practical solution for buyers who want to own now, manage costs, and maintain flexibility for the future. The key is exploring your options thoughtfully. Every property and every market is different. What makes sense for one buyer might not for another, and the “right” choice isn’t always obvious from a quick search or a headline. That’s where a local real estate agent can make a big difference. An experienced agent can help you assess your personal situation, run the numbers on different properties, and identify which type of home aligns with your goals and lifestyle. They can also point out opportunities you might not have considered—like duplexes or triplexes in neighborhoods you already like, or properties with flexible layouts that can accommodate extended family or generate rental income. Thinking broadly and consulting an agent early on can turn what feels like a daunting decision into a clear, practical plan. Instead of limiting yourself to single-family homes, exploring multifamily options could reveal a path to homeownership you didn’t realize was available. The Takeaway: Recent data suggests that buying a single-family home will help you build equity faster than you would if you bought a multifamily. However, choosing between the two isn’t just about which one builds equity faster. It’s about what makes the most sense for your personal situation, your family’s needs, and your path to homeownership. For many buyers, multifamily properties can offer a practical, flexible, and even more attainable way to own a home today—while also creating opportunities for rental income, long-term investment, and adaptable living arrangements. The key is keeping an open mind and exploring your options. A local real estate agent can help you navigate the possibilities, run the numbers, and identify the right property for your goals.
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Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months , it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market. But when you look at the full picture, a few simple truths become clear: Today’s foreclosure numbers are in line with what’s considered normal High home equity is keeping most homeowners in a strong financial position None of the data points to a big wave of distressed sales that’ll crash the market Foreclosure Filings Are Up 32%, But That Doesn’t Mean the Market’s in Trouble If you peel the layers all the way back, what everyone is actually worried about is that we’re headed for a repeat of what happened in 2008. Back then, riskier lending practices and an oversupply of homes for sale brought home prices down and led to a significant increase in foreclosures. A lot of people felt the impact. But this isn’t the same situation. Yes, ATTOM data shows foreclosure filings are up 32% year-over-year. And that increase is going to sound dramatic. But context matters, and it doesn’t mean we’re headed for another crash. And the numbers prove it. Take a look at where we were during the last crash (the red in the graph below). And where we are now (the blue): Even with the uptick lately, we are still nowhere near crash levels – far from it. This isn’t a return to crisis levels. What it is, is a return to normal. The graph below shows foreclosure filings going all the way back to early 2005. The lead up to, and the aftermath of, the crash is there in red. Those are the years when foreclosure filings went above the 1 million mark each year. Now, look at the right side and scan back to the 2017–2019 range (the last truly normal years for housing). You’ll see we’re actually just starting to fall back in line with what’s typical for the market, even with the increase lately: Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, explains it well: “ Foreclosure activity increased in 2025, reflecting a continued normalization of the housing market following several years of historically low levels . . . While filings, starts, and repossessions all rose compared to 2024, foreclosure activity remains well below pre-pandemic norms and a fraction of what we saw during the last housing crisis . . . today’s uptick is being driven more by market recalibration than widespread homeowner distress, with strong equity positions and more disciplined lending continuing to limit risk.” The word “normalization” in that quote is extra important. While economic and financial pressures are putting a strain on some homeowners, this isn’t a flood of distressed homes. No matter what the headlines may have you believe, this isn’t a large-scale crisis. Today’s increase isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a return to normal. Why This Isn't a Repeat of 2008 Even though the last housing crash still shapes how a lot of people interpret today’s news, the reality is, this is a different market: Lending standards are stronger Borrowers are more qualified And homeowners have far more equity And that equity piece is especially important. Over the last five years, home prices have risen significantly. For many people, their house is worth far more than they paid for it. That means most homeowners have a strong financial cushion to fall back on, if needed. Basically, if someone faces hardship today, they often have the option to sell, and maybe even walk away with money in their pocket, instead of going through foreclosure. That’s a major contrast to 2008, when many homeowners owed more than their home was worth. Bottom Line Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important. When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all).
