When buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality, or get sudden amnesia about factors that may make a difference.
You may see a basketball hoop over the
garage and assume the neighborhood is great for kids. But a closer inspection
may show that it’s rusted and hasn’t seen a ball in a decade, and that other
yards in the neighborhood have no jungle gyms or tire swings out back.
Visit at various times of day
The seemingly quiet residential street
may be a noisy, street during morning or evening rush hour. The adjacent school
may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school
year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained
for.
Talk to neighbors
How many people in the neighborhood own
their homes? Sometimes it’s hard to tell at first if you’re choosing a
neighborhood that’s primarily rental houses.
Quiz the sellers
What problems are they aware of that the
house had in the past – even if they’ve been fixed? An ice dam five years ago
may have caused water damage that has since been repaired. But it’s good to
know that the house may be prone to ice dams so you can take preventive
measures rather than find out the hard way. Discovering the basement flooding
was solved by building up the landscaping in a particular area will prevent you
from leveling the ground there in later years.
Get a home inspection
Virtually all houses have defects,
according to National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents. Some will be
obvious and most will be curable. But knowing what needs fixing can help you
negotiate a lower price – or at least prepare you for costs you’re soon to
incur. Strongly consider getting inspections, too, for lead paint, radon and
wood-eating pests.
Get detailed records on past
improvements
This isn’t always possible. But if
you’re told the house’s exterior was painted two years ago – and then see a
receipt noting the whole project cost just $1,000 – then you’ll be forewarned
that cheaper materials were used and that you may be looking at repainting
sooner than you thought.
Don’t just assume remodeling will be a
snap
If you voice your ideas to the sellers,
you may be able to glean valuable insights. For instance, perhaps that shower
is in an odd location because, when remodeling 10 years ago, the previous
owners discovered a costly structural impediment to putting a shower where it
would seem more appropriate.
Ask for utility bills
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural
style or the high ceilings and walls of glass in a modern home – but those
winter heating and summer cooling bills may push your monthly payments beyond
affordable.
Check with the town hall
Look into the property’s and neighborhood’s
zoning, as well as any potential easements, liens or other restrictions
relating to your property. The seller should disclose these facts, but it’s
better to be safe. Your buyer’s agent, he or she should be able to help you
with this.
Explore the surrounding area
If you’re not just making a cross-town
move, you may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty neighborhood
backs up to a commercial area or a less-than-exceptional part of town. If the
home is near an airport, fire station, police station, hospital or railroad
track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances throughout the day and
night.
Carrie Colby owns Premier Properties and
is a licensed Broker.
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