Before you jump right into the house buying process, it is important to know some of the signs to look out for. What considerations should you make as a new homeowner? What should you look into extra carefully?
Davy Talley – Keller Williams, a real estate expert, has come up with six tips that you should ask yourself before purchasing a property. Having these tips can help you make a more informed home buying decision.
Buying a home is a big undertaking that you shouldn’t do alone. It is easy to fall in love with a home that speaks to you, but is it the right home for you? Does it require you to fix it up? Learn more about the home you’re looking to purchase, but make sure to keep these 6 questions handy when the time comes to buy.
- What are my total costs going to be with everything?
Buying a home is expensive. You need to pay for the home itself first. Then you need to pay for its taxes, appraisal, realtor fees, closing costs. Once the purchase is complete, you may need to deal with costs of repairs, moving, inspection, insurance, and so much more. Knowing the cost of everything beforehand can help to put your mind at ease.
- Why is the seller moving out of the home?
You should also know why the home is up for sale. This way, you can put your mind at ease. The property may be problematic, needing constant repairs, leading to the owner opting to sell it. Knowing the reason for the sale is one of the best things you can do for yourself before purchasing the property.
Look at the background of the home, as well, before you purchase it. You can learn a lot about the history of the home and find out more about the owners. This helps you determine if this is the right home and gives you more insight into the home you’re interested in.
- Are there any health or safety concerns or issues that need to be addressed with the house?
Having an inspection done should be one of the first things to do. This is going to give you more information about the ins and outs of the property. The inspector takes a closer and professional look into the structure and building itself and other components of the property.
You want to have an inspection done before purchasing any home. Make sure the house is structurally sound, and you’re purchasing a quality property. Mold, mildew, and lead paint are all issues that are often found in older homes. These can bring health issues that have to be dealt with first before you put in any bid. In most cases, mold and mildew issues should be signs not to purchase the property.
- Do the appliances come with the home?
Some people want to know what exactly comes with the home they’re purchasing. The property may come with a swimming pool, hot tub, or furniture. However, in most cases, you will just be buying the house itself. On the other hand, most houses come with basic appliances. It is therefore important to make sure that these appliances are in good condition.
- How old is the roof and its condition?
The roof is one of the most important and expensive parts of a house. You want to check out the age and quality of the roof. Purchasing a home with an older roof can be a costly purchase overall because you may need to replace it.
Always ask or look into the roof of the home to find out how old it is. The older the roof, the less you will want to offer the home to cover some of the costs necessary to help replace the old roof.
- Do you get the original plans for the house when you purchase it?
The original house plans help to see how the original structure was built. The plans help see the original design and placement of the drainage and water systems. This is a good indicator of if the house was built correctly. The electric system will also tell you how safe the house is. These plans are also interesting to look into because you can learn more about the house’s history, helping you bond more with it.
Those who want to purchase any home should always ask questions. DOn’t limit your questions to just these, be inquisitive and add more so that you are delighted with your purchase. Before you make such a large, serious purchase, you want to learn as much as possible. Use a lawyer as well as a realtor who you can trust through the purchase process.