So you’ve found the place. The one that feels right. Maybe it’s got that big kitchen you’ve always wanted, or the neighborhood just clicked the moment you walked around the block. I get it – that excitement is real. But honestly ? That’s exactly when people make the worst decisions.
Before you grab that pen, let me walk you through 7 mistakes I’ve seen (and heard about) way too often. Some of them seem obvious. But if you’re doing your research seriously – the kind of research you’d do on a site like locationmaison-la-rochelle.com before renting or buying in a new area – you know that under pressure, stressed out, maybe a bit in love with the property, people skip the basics anyway.
1. Not Reading the Entire Document Before Signing
I know. It’s 30 pages. The font is tiny. The language is dry. But every clause in that lease or purchase agreement exists for a reason – and not always in your favor.
Pay attention to exit clauses, renewal terms, who’s responsible for what repairs, and any fees buried in the fine print. A tenant I spoke with once discovered – three months into her lease – that she was responsible for boiler maintenance. That cost her €800 she hadn’t planned for.
Read it twice if you have to. Or better yet, have someone else read it too.
2. Skipping the Property Inspection
This one genuinely surprises me every time. People visit a place once, fall in love with it, and sign. No second visit. No inspection.
A proper walkthrough before signing is non-negotiable. Check the walls for humidity stains. Test every faucet. Open the windows – do they close properly ? Is there mold hiding behind the wardrobe ? Check the electrical outlets. Ask about the age of the roof.
And if it’s a purchase ? Get an independent inspector. Yes, it costs money. No, it’s not optional.
3. Ignoring the Local Rental or Real Estate Market
Are you paying market price ? Or are you overpaying because you fell for a nice staging job ?
Before you commit, spend a few hours comparing similar properties in the area. Platforms like Zillow, Realtor, or local agency listings give you a baseline. Knowing the market doesn’t mean being cold about it. It just means you won’t regret it later.
4. Not Verifying the Seller’s or Landlord’s Legal Status
This might sound paranoid. It isn’t.
Who actually owns this property ? Is the landlord legally authorized to rent it out ? In a purchase context – is there an ongoing inheritance dispute ? A lien on the property ? An unpaid mortgage that could complicate the transfer ?
Ask for proof of ownership. Request a title search. If anything feels vague when you ask direct questions, that’s already a red flag.
5. Underestimating the Total Cost
The monthly rent is $1,400. Great. But what about the security deposit ? The agency fees ? The first and last month upfront ? Renter’s insurance ? Moving costs ?
For a purchase, people often forget to factor in : closing costs (typically 2–5% of the purchase price), property taxes, homeowners association fees, maintenance reserves, and sometimes renovation costs before you can even move in.
The number on the listing is never the number you actually pay. Add everything up before you decide if it’s affordable.
6. Letting Urgency Cloud Your Judgment
“There are three other offers on the table.” Maybe there are. Maybe there aren’t.
Pressure tactics are real in real estate – and they work, because finding a good place is stressful and nobody wants to start over. But signing in a panic is one of the most reliable ways to end up in a bad deal.
Give yourself at least 24 hours after any viewing before signing anything. Sleep on it. If the place is gone by morning – it probably wasn’t the right fit, or the right time.
7. Not Asking About What Happens if Things Go Wrong
What’s the early termination clause on the lease ? What happens if you need to sell before the expected date ? What are the penalties ?
For a purchase agreement, specifically : what conditions allow you to back out without losing your deposit ? A standard purchase agreement should include contingencies – for financing, for inspection results, sometimes for the sale of your current home.
If a contract has no exit options whatsoever, that’s worth pausing over.
One Last Thing
Signing a lease or a purchase agreement is a big deal. Obvious ? Yes. Easy to forget when you’re excited ? Also yes.
Take your time. Ask dumb questions – there are no dumb questions when you’re committing thousands of dollars and months (or years) of your life to something. And if something doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct. The right place will still feel right after a second look.