Your Home-Buying Referee: 8 Home-Buying 'Fouls' to Avoid

Buying a home is by no means a sport — it’s a big life commitment we’re talking about, after all — but just for a moment, let’s imagine it is. There are a lot of similarities: Both are events dotted with moments of excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. Both take stamina and excellent teamwork. And both involve making tough decisions, where the wrong move can change the whole game.

To take our analogy a step further, we’ve envisaged the home-buying process as a soccer match, where certain moves are major fouls. From overestimating your budget to believing some of those pesky old myths, we’ll explore some common “offenses” — so you can bring your A-game to the housing market.

Yellow cards to avoid

In soccer, a yellow card is a warning to players that they’ve done something wrong, but not terrible. It’s good to familiarize yourself with some yellow cards you may find as you set out to buy a home.

1. Convincing yourself to put down 20% on a home

Contrary to popular belief, you probably don’t have to put down 20% on a home. In fact, some loans (like VA and USDA loans) don’t require a down payment at all. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you might use a conventional loan, where your minimum down payment would be 3%. To put things into perspective, only 52% of people who used a mortgage loan in 2024 actually put down a whole 20%. Way less intimidating, right?

Pro tip: You can check if you qualify for a number of different down payment assistance options through Zillow.

2. Believing you need excellent credit to get a home loan

It’s time we bench this myth. While a high credit score tells lenders that you’re a trustworthy borrower, you don’t need a perfect credit history to get a loan. However, it is true that lenders are more likely to offer you better interest rates and other loan terms if they see a good score. A credit score of 800 and up is considered “excellent” by FICO. But if yours isn’t quite that high, that’s OK. As long as your score is above 500, you may still qualify for an FHA loan. Different types of home loans have different credit score requirements.

Pro tip: If your score is lower than you’d like, there are ways to boost it, like increasing your credit limit.

3. Not buying until you can afford your dream home

Say you want a home with a reading nook and an outdoor shower that’s a block from the beach. That sounds dreamy! But if you are only looking at homes that check all your boxes, maybe call a time out. Waiting for your dream home to fall into your BuyAbility range can turn into an endless wait, especially in a competitive housing market. Instead, think about buying a home that fits comfortably into your budget and that you like enough. After all, they’re called “starter homes” for a reason. Remember: your first home does not have to be your forever home.

Pro tip: Calculating your BuyAbility through Zillow can quickly tell you how much home you can afford. Then you can keep browsing (or dreaming of) homes with enough outdoor space for soccer games while knowing which ones fit into your budget.

4. Thinking you can’t buy a home if you have debt

We’re blowing the whistle on this one. Lenders usually look at your debt-to-income ratio rather than just your debt. Your DTI is a figure that shows how your monthly debt payments compare to how much you make in a month. If you have a healthy ratio — 36% or lower — you are likely in good shape to get approved for a home loan. Even people with large amounts of student loan debt may be able to still qualify for a loan, according to a lender we spoke to. If you want to figure out your DTI, we’ve got a calculator for that.

Red cards to avoid

When a player gets a red card during a soccer match, that means they’ve really messed up. In fact, it means the player is ejected from the game immediately. But if you avoid these red cards around home buying, you’ll be able to score a great home.

1. Buying a home you can’t afford

Yes, buying a home is usually pretty expensive. But you shouldn’t buy a home that costs so much that you’re caught offside by overspending. An unaffordable mortgage can quickly ruin your dreams and your finances. 

You can figure out what price range to shop in by using our BuyAbility tool. Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage loan is great, too — and you can get pre-qualified through Zillow Home Loans in less than five minutes. This does not lock you down for a loan or impact your credit score.

Pro tip: There are various ways to save up for a home, like buying things used instead of new.

2. Buying a home that’s the wrong size

The dimensions of a home are more than just measurements; they're about matching your lifestyle and what you need. If you choose a property that is either too snug or too spacious, it could throw off your whole game plan. A home that's too small can lead to a sense of confinement, affecting family interactions and personal ease — plus, you might not have space for all your stuff. And a home that’s too large could feel empty, wasteful, and expensive. The larger the property, the higher the utility bills and the more extensive the upkeep. Read other stories of buyer’s remorse.

3. Ignoring signs of damage or pests

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of home buying and overlook some issues. But, what may seem like small problems can evolve into major expenses and have you feeling like you just lost your championship match. A leaky roof might appear insignificant at first, but if left unaddressed, it can lead to significant water damage and mold growth. Mold not only poses health risks, but can also require extensive and costly repairs.

Ignoring pests can be a costly mistake as well. Termites, for example, are known as “silent destroyers” because they can cause extensive damage without being easily detected. Over time, termite activity can weaken the structural integrity of your home, leading to costly repairs and potentially even the need for major renovations. 

Pro tip: Know what red flags to look out for when you’re touring a home, and study the signs of potential damage.

4. Not considering the cost of maintaining your home

Closing on a home is a great feeling, but it also marks your start in a whole new league: homeownership. There is no maintenance team to call when your washer is on the fritz or your A/C breaks — at least, not one who will fix things for free. Zillow research found that owning and maintaining a home can cost up to $14,000 a year. Make sure you’re able to afford all the costs of owning a home before you make a deal, including property taxes and utilities. And if you have debts to pay off, like student loans, factor those into your calculations as well.

Now that you know more about home buying, you can avoid drawing a foul on the field! We have plenty more resources to help you navigate home shopping so you can win big on closing day and beyond.