More Questions to Consider Before Buying
May 25, 2010
Looking into buying a home doesn’t mean just checking the price of the prospective house, the neighboring homes’ values, or the location. Inexperienced buyers may not realize that there is so much more to consider when purchasing a home. It’s the little things that can make or break your final decision.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Not necessarily. Occasionally, however, there are certain states in the US that require a lawyer be involved in at least one part of the purchasing of your home. Hiring a lawyer could help you a great deal with the legal contracts. Real estate agents, though, will be able to assist you with paperwork and other tedious responsibilities of the buyer.
Who’s the Builder?
If you’re considering a more recently built home, it’s a good idea to check out the builder’s reputation. Perhaps get a list of homeowners currently living or who have lived in houses built by that contractor. Is he well-known and loved among his customers? What are some of the pros and cons they have to give? Do the pros outweigh the cons? Your inspector will be able to tell you what needs improvement. If it’s a fairly new home, there should be very few repairs necessary.
What’s the Traffic Like?
If you’re looking in the city, obviously there’s going to be a heavy load of traffic traveling in all directions. However, maybe you don’t want all that much. If you’re out in the country, how close are you to the nearest highway? Maybe you’ve found the perfect house–white picket fence, Victorian structure, large front and back yards–but it’s right off the main highway. Late at night you might find yourself lying wide awake listening to the anti-lock breaks of tractor trailers rolling up and down your street. Locating airports and nearby train stations will also help you get a better idea of the traffic volume you’d experience on a daily basis.
Why Does Sewage Disposal Matter?
Many buyers forget to ask how the sewage is disposed of. Why is this important? Not all homes have a city sewage system; some have septic tanks. When considering a home with a septic tank, it is important to know the age of the tank and its condition. The best way for a buyer to determine whether his potential home’s septic tank is sturdy enough is to test how the toilets work and how long it takes for the sinks in the home to drain. Asking about the age of the tank is also a good idea.
How Efficient is the Energy Use?
When buying your home, make sure you take this into consideration, as well. How highly rated are the home’s heating and cooling systems for efficiency? Knowing the lighting in each room without the use of lamps would be helpful, too. To fix these problems, you could also get an estimate of the costs to improve the home’s energy efficiency and then determine whether you’d be willing to invest that amount in the house after making your purchase.
These are just a few of the lesser known aspects to keep in mind when purchasing a home. Always be sure to take hiring a real estate agent into consideration, as well, in order to help you invest your money in the house that suits you best.