Choosing a good house
There are several things you can do to ensure you do not buy a "lemon" house. While it is smart to hire a home inspection professional, there are several things we recommend that you can also do to improve the chances of you buying a great house that you will love.
"Location, location, location..." First and foremost, the house you choose should be in a place that you like that is not too far from where you work. Some people live so far from work that they spend more time and money on driving than they do investing in their family relationships and friendships. Others buy into an area they don't like just because they want a certain house. If you are not comfortable with the neighbors and the neighborhood, then it would be smart to look elsewhere. For example, how will you be able to take your kids for walks if there are pit bulls running free? Or, what do you do when the guy two houses down collects junk all over his yard? If the home has several locks on each exterior door, or bars on the windows, or if the neighborhood has graffiti, these could be signs that the home is in a high crime area.
Second, it is smart to walk through the house and see if the items you will use every day work properly. To help determine if the foundation is in good condition, check if the doors open and close easily, or whether they bind or rub on the doorjambs. Homes with foundation problems usually have door problems along with diagonal cracks in the interior and exterior walls, especially above windows and doors. The floors may be out of level. This is another sign of what may be foundation trouble. Does the house smell musty when you first walk into it? This could be a sign of organic growth or past water damage. Get your hands on as much of the property as possible.
Thirdly, how does the roof look? If the shingles are brittle and have lost a significant amount of their granules, then they will probably need to be replaced soon.
Fourthly, how does the drainage look? If water wil run towards, under, or into the building, it may cause major damage.
Fifthly, what does the attic look like? Is it hot in the summer, or does it have proper ventilation, or even a radiant barrier? A radiant barrier looks like a foil material that is commonly placed under the roof decking. Radiant barriers are common on high quality newer homes, and can also be installed to keep out the heat of summer that will radiate into the building from the attic.
Sixthly, do the mechanical components, including the heating and air conditioning equipment operate properly? This is another big ticket item, that you should check before committing to buy.
Seventh, how does the house compare with other similar homes in the neighborhood? If your reputable, licensed, and experienced real estate inspector finds only a few items, and you notice that other homes that are the same size nearby commonly sell for the same price or more, then you are probably alright. There are several online tools that can help you determine a ballpark figure for the home's value, including Zillow and the local appraisal district's website.
There are other factors to consider, and your real estate agent or broker can help you with these. Don't be afraid to walk away from a property if things just aren't right. Many times I have seen a client that would not settle for mediocrity and kept looking. Almost every time, they find the jewel they are seeking, and get a happier ending.
"Location, location, location..." First and foremost, the house you choose should be in a place that you like that is not too far from where you work. Some people live so far from work that they spend more time and money on driving than they do investing in their family relationships and friendships. Others buy into an area they don't like just because they want a certain house. If you are not comfortable with the neighbors and the neighborhood, then it would be smart to look elsewhere. For example, how will you be able to take your kids for walks if there are pit bulls running free? Or, what do you do when the guy two houses down collects junk all over his yard? If the home has several locks on each exterior door, or bars on the windows, or if the neighborhood has graffiti, these could be signs that the home is in a high crime area.
Second, it is smart to walk through the house and see if the items you will use every day work properly. To help determine if the foundation is in good condition, check if the doors open and close easily, or whether they bind or rub on the doorjambs. Homes with foundation problems usually have door problems along with diagonal cracks in the interior and exterior walls, especially above windows and doors. The floors may be out of level. This is another sign of what may be foundation trouble. Does the house smell musty when you first walk into it? This could be a sign of organic growth or past water damage. Get your hands on as much of the property as possible.
Thirdly, how does the roof look? If the shingles are brittle and have lost a significant amount of their granules, then they will probably need to be replaced soon.
Fourthly, how does the drainage look? If water wil run towards, under, or into the building, it may cause major damage.
Fifthly, what does the attic look like? Is it hot in the summer, or does it have proper ventilation, or even a radiant barrier? A radiant barrier looks like a foil material that is commonly placed under the roof decking. Radiant barriers are common on high quality newer homes, and can also be installed to keep out the heat of summer that will radiate into the building from the attic.
Sixthly, do the mechanical components, including the heating and air conditioning equipment operate properly? This is another big ticket item, that you should check before committing to buy.
Seventh, how does the house compare with other similar homes in the neighborhood? If your reputable, licensed, and experienced real estate inspector finds only a few items, and you notice that other homes that are the same size nearby commonly sell for the same price or more, then you are probably alright. There are several online tools that can help you determine a ballpark figure for the home's value, including Zillow and the local appraisal district's website.
There are other factors to consider, and your real estate agent or broker can help you with these. Don't be afraid to walk away from a property if things just aren't right. Many times I have seen a client that would not settle for mediocrity and kept looking. Almost every time, they find the jewel they are seeking, and get a happier ending.
