Buyer Tips -
What to look for in a home
Before shopping for a home, make a list of what is most important to you:
neighborhood, style or size of the home, size of the yard, number of bedroom and bathrooms, etc.
Buy with your head – Not your heart:
Walk through a potential home with your head first and your heart second.
Learn the ABC's:
Affordable, Built well and Comfortable.
Consider whether the home meets the needs of your family and your lifestyle.
Stay organized:
Keep a notebook to record your budget, write down questions and answers as they come up, and make notes on homes you view. It’s a good place to also keep pictures of the homes you have visited and the distinctive features you want to remember about each home.
Know the challenges as well as the benefits of owning a home.
Consider proximity to public transportation.
Lead-based Paint Inspection:
If the home was built prior to 1978 and you have children under age 7, you will want to have it inspected for lead-based paint.
Radon Inspection:
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas. Radon concentrates in homes and buildings, exposing those who breathe it in to the second-top cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The good news is that radon testing is simple. High-radon homes can be mitigated or fixed – and free or reduced-cost testing is offered in many areas.
If the home has a fresh coat of paint:
make sure it is not to hide any flaws.
Take your time and think carefully about each home you see:
weigh the pros and cons.
Always check to see if the house is in a low-lying area:
in a high-risk area for natural disasters (like flooding), or in a hazardous materials area.
Be sure the home meets building codes:
some structural modifications or additions may have been done without the proper permits.
Consider local zoning laws:
which could affect remodeling or building an addition in the future.
Plan for the expense, time and work involved in maintaining a home: Think about whether you can make your own repairs and up-keep, or if will you need to hire someone.
Inquire about heating costs:
Consider additional energy costs. Remember it often costs more to heat a standalone home.
Think about household items you will need to buy:
lawn mower, garden tools, etc.
Check to see which appliances: if any, are included in the sale and what you will need to buy.
Be energy wise:
Consider an energy audit before you buy.
Understand the hazards around a home:
including lead paint, wiring, water leaks and natural gas.
It’s OK to not know everything when you are buying your first home: Many people want to do all the research and watch all the TV shows before taking the step into home ownership. But it’s perfectly OK to have the desire and the finances to buy a home, but not know anything else. Buyer’s agents exist for a reason! Hire a qualified real estate agent who can guide you through the process and answer the many questions that will come up. Look for an agent who not only knows the market, but one who understands your needs and communicate well with.
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