Tip #1 Don't buy a house older than 98 unless you have a replace the hot water, roof budget, etc.. Newer houses are also more energy efficient, which means more money for cigars. :thumbs:
#2 If you have kids, or plan to, stay away from busy through streets, culdesacs are great.
#3 Referring to #2 check out the school systems. Scholastic testing averages. Find some people in the area and ask them, don't believe your realator unless they are trusted family.
#4 Ask to see a years utilites from the seller. Gas, Electric, water/sewer. This way you can find out if the house you are thinking about is an energy hog. Which means less money for cigars. :angry:
#5 Definitely ask for the seller to provide the home warranty....................it's a buyers market right now. Also do not offer full asking price, a good realator should advise you of this.
#6 Anything you put a contract on, request a home inspection, no matter how new. With a liscensed inspector.
#7 If there is a homeowners assoc., make sure you read the bylaws thouroughly and are in full agreement with them before you sign off on that part of the contract.
#8 Don't be afraid to go knock on a few doors in the neighborhood and ask the residents pros and cons of the subdivision/area. Don't take the word of just one neighborhood resident.
#9 Most MLS listings will give you statistics for the area such as crime rates, personal property taxes, etc. ask your realator for this.
#10 Newer basements are less prone to flooding, especially with walk out entryways. A sump pump is a preference.
#11 Make sure you have plenty of storage and buy a size house that allows for growth if it is in your budget.
#12 Make a list of criteria and make sure your realator shows your houses in this guidline, not what THEY WANT to show you, Ie....Garage, fireplace, office, basement, size of lot, price range, etc. Decide how many rooms or floorplans that you like, Cape Cods, Colonials, Split foyers, etc.
#13 Look for things yourself, is the yard low lying where it's going to flood everytime you have a downpour, does the finished/unfinished basement have a musty damp smell. Is there signs of mold down there? Does the furnace look like it was taken care of, etc.
#14 Ask for a years personal property tax and homeowners insurance records. When you give this info to a mortgage consultant they can give you a rough idea of just EXACTLY what your total monthly payment is going to be (if that's important) with Principal and Interest plus what the total Escrow payment will be on top of that to cover insurance & taxes.
#15 Speaking of insurance, living in an area considered a flood risk can dramatically affect your insurance rate quote, so can it, if the house has ever had a previous claim for anything. Age of the house plays a factor in insurance rates too.
#16 Be wary of a realator trying to sell you a house where they are representing the sellers. I have seen a few people fall into this trap. Not all are dishonest, but be wary............They have a lot to gain by representing the buyer and seller.
#17 Get several quotes from different mortgage companies on the house you are thinking of buying. If your realator trys to send you to one go ahead and check it out, but some do get kickbacks for sending people their way. They'll tell you how great the place they're sending you to is.............Sorry if I have offended any realators out there, just like anything, there are good ones and bad ones.
#18 Lastly, think about how far your commute from work, etc.. is going to be. Nothing can affect quality of life more than spending an aggravating amount of time stuck in traffic for hours everyday. All because you got a bigger house that was way far away from your job or relatives.
#19 Lastly, lastly, Don't buy the biggest house in the neighborhood, buy smaller to mid. This will give you a greater return on your investment when you go to sell it. The larger houses have a harder time pushing the envelope on re-sale. I found this out the hard way.
Good luck Rob! Give me a call if you have any questions you think I might be able to answer for you. You have my number................Just don't sound like a telemarketer!!!! :laugh:
Edited because I can't spell.