Buying a home in Rochester, Minnesota in 2026 requires more than just scheduling showings and making offers. The market moves quickly, and early decisions can set buyers up for success or create significant hurdles. Alex Mayer, a Rochester MN real estate agent with eXp Realty and a four-time winner of Best Real Estate Agent in Rochester MN, has identified three mistakes that repeatedly surface, not because buyers are careless, but because the process is widely misunderstood.
“We’re dealing with people’s homes, their finances, and their families,” Mayer says. “That’s the trifecta of things that make people emotional. And when emotions are running high, mistakes happen.”
The first mistake involves registering on third-party websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, or Redfin without researching who will contact them. While these sites are useful for browsing, the agents who respond to buyer inquiries often are junior or less experienced. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average agent completes 3.92 transactions per year, meaning even top performers handle only one or two deals monthly. Low-volume agents may feel financial pressure to close a deal quickly. “That agent needs you to buy a house more than you need to buy that house,” Mayer says. “That creates pressure even when it shouldn’t be there.” He advises buyers to research agents thoroughly, checking reviews, credentials, and social media presence, and to have a phone conversation before committing.
The second mistake is contacting the listing agent directly. When a buyer works directly with the listing agent, it creates dual agency, which is legal in Minnesota but fraught with conflicts of interest. “That agent is trying to sell that house,” Mayer says. “They do not represent you, even if they technically do.” The financial incentive for the agent to double-end the commission often conflicts with the buyer’s interest in securing the best price and terms. Mayer recently worked with a buyer who canceled a deal after feeling pressured by a listing agent who was supposed to represent both sides. His own practice: when unrepresented buyers inquire about his listings, he refers them to an agent at a different brokerage to ensure fair representation.
The third mistake is starting the home search without understanding the market first. Many buyers act reactively, looking at homes before securing financing or understanding what makes an offer competitive. “A reactive buyer goes out there, looks at a house, maybe falls in love with it, and then starts trying to figure everything else out,” Mayer says. “A proactive buyer already knows what types of financing are available. They understand what makes up a mortgage payment, including taxes, insurance, and in some cases mortgage insurance.” In the current Rochester market, buyers compete primarily with other buyers, requiring prepared offers. Mayer provides all clients with a 60- to 90-minute overview covering financing, mortgage payments, property search strategies, and offer construction before any showings. “I want them entering the market with their eyes wide open,” he says.
Rochester’s market is shaped by Mayo Clinic and seasonal hiring cycles, making preparation essential. The three mistakes are avoidable with proper groundwork. “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast,” Mayer says. “You have to slow down at the beginning to actually be ready to move quickly when it counts.” For more insights, visit rochesterareahomesbyalex.com or watch his market insights on YouTube.
