Uncover Hidden Problems With A Proper Home Inspection

A home inspection can make or break a home purchase. This is one of the most important purchases one will ever make and the home inspection is one of the critical steps that need to be taken when purchasing your home. This procedure is a thorough evaluation of the home’s condition by a professional and in majority of all cases; it’s required by lenders to obtain a mortgage. It’s important to conduct a home inspection to avoid a costly mistake when purchasing a property in need of major repairs.  Even if you think you have found your dream home, if major problems are discovered, this will allow the buyer to cancel the contract on the property.

Inspect the home you are interested in yourself when doing the first and second walk through of the house before moving forward in the buying process. This will eliminate houses that have significant visible problems. A personal inspection will help you identify issues to mention to the professional inspector if you decide you want a thorough inspection. Look at the roof, condition of the porch, the appearance of the paint or siding, and the gutter systems on the exterior. Check windows and ceilings for signs of leaking water inside the house. Listen for noises in plumbing or any electrical issues in the home, such as exposed wiring and lighting problems. If the heating or cooling system is active when you are there, take note of the effects on the temperature in the house. If there is a basement, check for signs of water damage and flooding.

Following your own inspection, hire an experienced and professional inspector. The home may look move in ready, but an inspector may unveil issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye. Ask the inspector how long he has been performing inspections, and what type of certifications they have. Find out what will be inspected during the home inspection and how long the process will take. Standard single-family home inspections are at least two to five hours, depending on the size of the property.

Home inspections may reveal problems with a home that could be pricey to fix. This can be used as leverage in purchasing negotiations with the seller.  As a potential buyer you may be able to negotiate the price dependent on what the home inspector has found.  If a massive amount of issues were found within the home, the potential buyer now has a couple options in negotiations.  If the issues aren’t that extreme you could negotiate a credit with the sellers, have the seller pay for repairs before the closing. You can purchase the property as is with further negotiation with the purchase price, or walk away from the purchase if the issues seem too problematic.

A valuable educational opportunity would be to follow the inspector during the inspection and ask any questions you have. Take notes during the walk-through, as the inspector will point out any future problems you may encounter. This will give the buyer peace of mind knowing the exact state of the property.

Majority of professional home inspections do not include additional tests, such as checking for lead paint, radon, pest infestations and mold. The home inspector will recommend these types of specialized tests if he believes one of these issues exists in the home or is a known problem in the surrounding neighborhood.

"A full home inspection...is the best defense against future liability for the seller and the most assured way a buyer can feel comfortable with there home purchase!"

Kitchens Sell the House

The rooms buyers most closely look at and judge in a house are the kitchen and master bath. These are the interior spaces where the most value can be added during a sale, so why not make it look its best!

For today, let’s evaluate the advantages of upgrading your kitchen if you’re looking to sell. A serious home chef like my wife, or just house-proud owners, might consider the kitchen their showstopper room, the one that will acquire the attention of potential buyers. That’s why they add all the upgrades, accoutrements, and trendy new finishes they can possibly find. A well-appointed kitchen can make a buyer fall deeply in love.

An inherent danger of taking a deep dive into modern design is accepting the harsh fact that today’s trends may be tomorrow’s “What was I thinking?” fads such as fake brick or hideaway appliances. With the average kitchen remodel around $20,000 depending on size of course and designing without foresight can be very costly. Before, planning any upgrades to your kitchen, consider the neighborhood you live in and the kind of buyer you’re looking to target.

Some trends such as subway tile and granite countertops have a long life in the designer world. Designers expect they’ll be in style for years to come, so you’re safe giving them a starring role in your remodel. Evaluate the surrounding homes and see if they have tidy, simple kitchens with Formica or tile countertops. Ask your Realtors advice on what catches the buyer’s eye and what seems to sell in your area and upgrade similarly.

Don’t overdo your remodel. An upgrade can range from a weekend long, low budget brush up to a full blown project.  Either way, your goal should be to make your kitchen look fantastic without wasting money, overinvesting, and ultimately upgrading your kitchen so that it’s out of place amongst the rest of the properties in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Countertops are your kitchen’s primary focal point, it’s important to ensure their longevity. Picking a trendy material will be best while it’s still trending, but in a few years, it might make your home impossible to sell. Better to spend a bit more on a surface you’ll love for a great while. If the rest of your kitchen is looking very worn and dated, you may be able to salvage some of its basic structure and replace it with modern elements that will simply improve the kitchen cost-effectively. Resurface, refinish, or scrub down the cabinet doors, replace cabinet hardware, install a new faucet, upgrade the appliances, install new lighting fixtures, place some backsplash tile and apply a fresh coat of paint that will have the kitchen stand out.

"Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful!"

First-Time Home Buyer Tips

House Hunting

• One out of five consumers will be actively looking to buy his or her first home, and 46% millennia's will be looking in the next year. If you're a first time buyer, the mere thought of securing a mortgage may be overwhelming. For most, a home will be the largest purchase you will make and it can be the best investment you make.
• Once you begin the hunt for your house, you should have a basic idea of the kind of neighborhood you would like to live in. Depending on what neighborhood and if you’re looking to buy a hot property, consider the fact you may have to move quickly, or potentially lose out on a great house in a great neighborhood. We’ll think positive and say that won’t happen though because you’re an action taker.
• Real estate never sleeps, and when looking at a house, you should have a wish list on the top 4 to 5 things you want in your new home. Every house will not be perfect, so you must be willing to compromise with that extravagant list of yours, HAHA!...just kidding. While on the hunt, don’t be so quick to judge a book by its cover. You will be surprised at what will be on the inside of some of the houses you will be viewing. Trust your realtor’s judgment and go inside and look around before making a decision.
• All properties will not be in great shape, and the ones that are will not be on the market for long. Keep in mind that while looking, you’re not just finding a place to live but your new home will be a great investment with the accumulated dollars down the road. The best places to invest are up and coming areas that have great schools and convenient shopping.
• While on the hunt, keep in mind that sometimes you have to see past what you may think is junk and look at the potential in the property. Remember this is an investment! If you go to a home once and you love it, allow yourself a second visit to go through and look. The first visit has a lot of excitement and emotions and you may miss something the first time around.
• Consider foreclosures because they sell at discounts, but you'll have to act fast depending on the area and you'll need the expertise of a real estate agent that specializes in foreclosures. It also pays to first get a mortgage pre approval letter from a lender before hand.
• Also, consider condos. The average condo costs less than the average single family home, they require less maintenance and many complexes offer amenities like gyms and pools. All which can very attractive if these are some of the things on your list.
• Its important to weigh your options. Consider the pro's and cons of you living in a single-family home, townhome or a condo. What is going to fit you and your lifestyle or you and your families lifestyle? Keep your options open and allow your realtor to broaden your outlook while on the hunt.

 "If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know it when you find it!" Happy Hunting!!