As a loan officer I have seen just about every emotion that can arise during the home buying process. For first time home buyers these emotions are usually magnified for the simple fact that you’ve never done it before.

Some of these emotions are warm and fuzzy like a unicorn that farts rainbows; Others are of the “kill me now!” variety. Either way it’s good to know about some of the emotions that may arise during the home buying process so that you can be more prepared.  Here are 26 of them…

Excited

When you get your first decent-paying job and realize that you might be able to tell your landlord to stick it.

Annoyed

When you go online to search for homes and the real estate website makes you register after just 3 searches.

Nervous

When you make that first call to a Realtor after spotting their sign next to a house (It’s probably more than you can afford).

Oblivious

When you go to your first appointment with the loan officer that the Realtor recommended and he uses lots of jargon (like “amortization”) to sound smarter than he really is.

Embarrassed

When the loan officer tells you that your credit score has been hurt by a couple late credit card payments from 1 year ago.

Encouraged

When you find out that you can still qualify for an FHA loan with your marginal credit. Thank you USA government!… for once.

Grateful

When your parents agree to gift you the 3.5% required down payment for FHA.

Frustrated

After touring 30 houses in your price range and none of them feel just right.

Shocked

When your Realtor fires you for “wasting his time”.

Optimistic

When you finally find a home that has all the features you want and is in your price range.

Confused

When you take a glance at the real estate purchase contract and think, “What in the Sam Hill is a due diligence deadline?”

Exhilarated

When your offer is accepted by the seller.

Heartbroken

When the home inspection reveals asbestos in the furnace and the seller isn’t willing to fix it. You think, “Asbestos isn’t that big of a deal, right?” Turns out it is and your parents talk you out of buying that home. At least you get your $500 earnest money deposit back. Thank you title company!

Foolish

When you make an offer on the very next home you tour because you are burnt out on the home hunting process.

Relieved

When your offer on that home isn’t accepted.

Smart

When you take a break to regroup, refocus, and re-energize your home hunting efforts.

Hopeful

When you give it another shot and get a home under contract. The Realtor says you will have “instant equity”!

Overwhelmed (A tad)

When you have to undress financially for the mortgage company by supplying 2 tax returns, 3 pay stubs, 2 months checking and savings account statements, 401k and IRA statements, 3 letters of explanation for derogatory credit and credit inquiries, a gift letter from your parents, a copy of the canceled earnest money check, a copy of your drivers license and social security card, and a blood and urine sample (I’m kidding… kind of).

Hopeless

When the appraisal comes in less than the purchase price and the seller doesn’t want to renegotiate.

More than hopeless

When the same appraiser requires that the crawl space be increased from 14 to 18 inches to be compliant with FHA’s property condition guidelines.

Reinvigorated

When the sellers agrees to pay for the crawl space improvement. They finally realized that they don’t live in the Taj Mahal and it’s a buyer’s market!

Disillusioned

When the underwriter asks for one more pay stub on the day you are suppose to close. Seriously?!! “Just kill me now.” (actual quote from home buyer)

Indifferent

When the underwriter finally issues the “clear to close” and sends “docs” to the title company.

Amazed

When you are sitting at the title company and you can’t believe that it is finally happening.

Forgiving

When the loan funds and you get the keys to your new house and forget about all the crap you had to go through.

“Completely, perfectly and incandescently happy”(name the movie)

When the move goes smoothly (your church group came to help), the neighbors baked you some cinnamon rolls, your new bathtub didn’t take 30 minutes to drain, and you can sleep peacefully without hearing any heavy metal or domestic disputes through paper thin-walls. This is when you realize that the stress and heartache was all worth it.

Buying a home can definitely be a wild ride.  My recommendation is to be prepared and maybe even account for the cost of 6 to 12 months of therapy in your debt to income ratio.

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