Occasionally home buyers, particularly first time home buyers, make simple mistakes that cost them money and convenience. Here's a real live example.

John and Jane Doe (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) spent 6 months looking for a house that met their requirements. Their market was in the Maryland suburbs outside of Washington, DC, one of the hottest real estate markets in the entire country in 2005. They would repeatedly bid on a house only to be out bid by other buyers, some of whom were bidding more than the asking price. Finally they were the high bidder on a house that met their needs almost perfectly. The home inspection and the closing proceeded without incident.

Imagine then their surprise on the day they began to move in to discover that all of the kitchen appliances had been removed from the house. The Doe's had made a common mistake. In a real estate contract if you don't specify that the existing appliances are to remain in the house and are to be sold as part of the sale, then the seller can remove them. The Doe's didn't study the contract.

When looking for a new home, be sure and look at as many houses as possible in your price range. By comparing features and benefits you will make yourself a much more informed buyer. And always read the fine print in the contract.