Common Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make, Explained by Alex Mayer, Rochester, MN Realtor

Written by:

Heather Hook

Date:

17 Jun 2026

KeyCrew Studio

Share

Share via Facebook

Share via Linkedin

Share via X

Copy to clipboard

Nobody walks out of high school knowing how to write an offer, read a title commitment, or figure out whether the interest rate being quoted to them is the one that actually matters. And according to Rochester, MN real estate agent Alex Mayer, that gap in knowledge is the single biggest reason buyers and sellers make costly mistakes in the Rochester, MN real estate market.

“They don’t teach you how to buy or sell a house in school,” Mayer says. “It’s not a thing. And in my experience, most agents actually don’t have the experience themselves to educate consumers on what to expect.”

That observation sits at the core of how Mayer runs his business. After ten years working in the Rochester area and four consecutive wins as Best Real Estate Agent in Rochester, MN, he has built his practice around a single belief: information alone is not enough. What buyers and sellers actually need is perspective, and most of them are walking into the biggest financial decision of their lives without it.

The Difference Between Information and Clarity

Real estate information is widely available online. The problem, Mayer says, is that most of it is outdated, inaccurate, or not specific to what is happening in Rochester right now.

“A lot of the online information isn’t tied to our local Rochester real estate market,” he explains. “Things are changing all the time here, and you need to know what’s happening. Nowadays, people are going on to AI tools, and oftentimes there are inaccuracies in there.”

He points to HGTV as one of the more damaging influences on buyer expectations. “That is scripted stuff. It is not the reality of what’s actually happening.” The same goes for social media, where agents post highlight reels that tell buyers nothing about what it actually takes to close a deal in a competitive market.

What Mayer offers instead is a 60 to 90 minute onboarding session with every new client before they look at a single property. The goal is to show them not just the pieces of the puzzle, but how those pieces fit together to create a complete picture.

Why “It Depends” Is Key to Understanding

Every question in real estate has a conditional answer, and Mayer treats that as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. His goal is to show clients what those conditions are and how different factors interact before they make any decisions.

Take the question buyers ask most often: What are interest rates right now? Most agents throw out a number. Mayer explains why that number alone can be misleading.

When rates drop, more buyers enter the market, prices rise, and homeowners’ insurance and taxes often follow. A buyer who focuses only on securing a lower rate may end up paying more overall. “You might save on the rate, but step over dollars to save pennies,” Mayer says.

He frequently references buyers who purchased homes in February 2020, just before the pandemic. “They might have thought they made one of the biggest mistakes of their lives the following month. But those people who bought in February of 2020 are sitting really well today.”

What Many Agents Are Getting Wrong

Mayer was invited to speak on a Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors top agent panel and shared the same message there that he gives his clients every day.

“I told the room that the number one most important thing in your real estate business isn’t the marketing, isn’t the branding. It’s making sure you’re taking good care of your clients. And that means explaining things in an easy to understand way.”

One of the other panelists, a team leader who had been out of active production for several years, took the opposite view: that buyers can find information online and agents do not need to walk them through it. Mayer sees that approach as a severe disservice to clients.

Some high-volume agents, he says, focus on getting signatures rather than building understanding. “They’re not explaining the ins and outs of how things actually work. And I think one of the reasons my clients have such an advantage in the Rochester area real estate market is because I take the time up front.”

The Real Cost of Going in Unprepared

The number one thing holding buyers back, in Mayer’s experience, is fear of the unknown. Once that fear is addressed, decisions come faster and with more confidence.

“I have seen the anxiety and stress on clients when I first sit down with them. And I have seen that weight just go away as we go through the process. If you know what you’re getting into, it makes the whole thing much easier.”

For buyers exploring their options in the Rochester, MN market, Mayer offers a detailed consultation through his website at Rochester Area Homes by Alex Mayer.

Alex Mayer is a full-time Rochester, MN real estate agent, a 4X winner of Best Real Estate Agent in Rochester, MN with 300+ five-star reviews. His core values are Education, Communication, and Responsiveness, which guide every part of his business. He has a “Direct Representation Model,” meaning his clients work directly with him, not a large team with junior agent handoffs. His promise: You’ll know what to expect, how to operate, and what needs to be done to be successful in the Rochester, MN real estate market. He specializes in first-time homebuyers, Mayo Clinic and other relocating buyers, and Rochester, MN sellers, including move-up, downsizing, and estate sales. Alex is also known for his Alaskan Malamute dogs, Atlas and Kaia, who are featured in much of his local branding.

This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.

Disclosure: Individuals or companies mentioned may have a commercial relationship with KeyCrew.