|
How do I get the real scoop on homes I am looking at?
When you are searching for
that special property that will fell right to live in you are sometimes unaware
from the outside what a property that looks reasonable actually has to offer
you in the long run.
To find out what the ‘real
scoop’ is with the house you are interested in requires a few different
methods. The first option available to you is to hire a home inspector to take
a look at the inside and outside of the prospective home.
A home inspector is a
qualified and experienced person, who will be able to look around the house and
give you feedback on the overall quality of the house, any minor problems and
anything that needs immediate attention, before you purchase the property.
Asking your agent for their
experience can also help you to determine the quality of the property you are
interested in. Your realtor will have the necessary experience to give you some
basic advice about the property and what you can expect.
Also available to you is the
disclosure requirements of the seller. Although disclosure laws vary by state
the law normally requires the seller to carryout a real estate transfer
disclosure statement.
The real estate transfer
disclosure is a through document highlighting in detail the possessions in and
attached to the house. Although it is difficult to highlight everything that
may go into the document the things that you should expect to see include the
following:
Description of items in the kitchen: oven,
microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal and trash compactor.
Safety features in the house: for example
burglar and fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, security gate,
window screens and intercom.
External devices: Items such as a TV antenna or
satellite dish, garage door, and automatic garage door opener and rain
gutters.
Amenities: these can include pool or spa, patio
or deck, built-in barbeque and fireplaces.
Heating devices: type, condition of electrical
wiring, gas supplies any external power source, e.g. solar panels.
Water supplies: type of water heater, water
supply, sewer system or septic tank
Sellers who fill out a
disclosure form are also required to indicate any major defects or malfunctions
that exist in the major systems of the home. The presence of the following
should also be noted in the disclosure form
Environmental hazards
Walls or fences shared with adjoining landowners
Room additions or repairs (especially those made
without the necessary permits or
not in compliance with building codes)
Zoning violations
Citations against the property
Lawsuits against the seller affecting the
property
Damage from settling, sliding or soil problems, flooding or drainage problems
and any from earthquakes, floods or landslides should be looked for before
buying the property.
If you are thinking of buying a condominium you must be told about covenants,
codes and restrictions or other deed restrictions on your property.
To discuss this topic Click Here to go to our Online Forum |
