You saw a picture pretty home being sold online and you definitely want it. Should you buy it outright? Definitely you won’t. You’ll have to take a good and long hard look into it before you sign the dotted line and live in that house forever. That’s right. People are getting smarter when buying homes after the mortgage and real estate industry tripped.
Take the time to learn about real estate contracts and mortgage terms before you look at any homes. Figure monthly payments to determine how much you can spend on a home. Don’t even look at homes that cost more than your spending limit. Repairs are expensive so if the house needs work, figure that into your budget.
Consider the neighborhood. Are the other homes well kept? Look into crime statics for the area. Keep in mind that homes in upscale neighborhoods come with upscale price tags. Make sure the house is in good repair, or that the seller will do necessary repairs before the sale. Make sure you lender will provide a mortgage.
If it needs repairs, check out the extent of repairs needed and how much it will cost. Armed with the information you can always ask for a lower price or if the cost of the repairs is beyond your present budget for your mortgage, skip it. As for the repaired houses, always check the basement. A damp basement will show water stains on the floor and walls and give off a musty smell. Molds might be lurking on the walls and ceilings and will need professional help to remove safely.
Many homes are sold with the kitchen appliances. Look at the appliances. How old are they? Are they energy efficient? Will you have to replace some or all of them in the near future? Look at the countertops and cabinets. Do they need repairs or replacement? Does the house have city water or well water? How old is the well and the well pump? Look under the sink for leaks. Is the house city sewage or septic? How old is the septic system?
Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most expensive room to remodel. Is the bathtub and shower clean and in good repair? How old is the hot water heater? What about the sink and toilet? Any cracks or discoloration? Have the home inspected by a professional who can check the plumbing and electrical systems.
Examine the attic carefully. Make sure it is well insulated so that you won’t lose heat from your home. Look for any signs of leaks. Sometimes even roofs that appear to be in good shape have leaks that can be expensive to fix. What sort of ventilation does that attic have? Look at the exterior and check the maintenance. Count the windows and doors.
After the interiors and the exteriors, check out the neighborhood. Do some research about the crime rate in the area. Is your house vulnerable to break-ins? Is the next neighbor a mile away? Are the houses crammed into a little neighborhood? After visiting the house on a nice sunny day, visit it on a rainy day to see how it fares. If there’s no problem, then make a deal according to the mortgage you can afford.
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Tags: advice, consumer, equity, finances, home loan, house, Lansing, Michigan, Mortgage, purchase, Real Estate, realtor, refinance