A Checklist for Inspecting a Home

If you are in the process of purchasing a home, there is a simple solution for inspecting the house for any signs of wear and tear. A thorough home inspection is an ideal solution for both the seller and the buyer. Any outstanding issue with the home can be quickly addressed before any contracts have been signed.

The cooling and heating system in the home is often one of the most crucial components that require a thorough inspection. If there is any issue found in the HVAC system, repairing it quickly is a good solution, albeit an expensive one.

Many times older homes have older HVAC systems that require either updating or a full replacement. In the end, the seller may need to reduce the overall price of the home, or offer a stipend to the purchaser to ensure that the issues are fixed either before or after taking ownership of the house. In addition to inspecting the HVAC system, a home inspector will likely completely check out the wood stoves, heat pumps, and window air-conditioning units.

In addition, the electrical system must be up to par any time a home changes hands. Older homes tend to have faulty wiring, as the insulation becomes frayed over the years. Any house that was built before the 1950s will likely have improperly working outlets that require a complete change out before the house can exchange hands.

Another key component to every home inspection is the plumbing system. The inspector will look for any signs of flooding, burst pipes, or a buildup of mold or moisture that tends to be growing in specific areas. This is because mold tends to be extremely toxic to individuals and can cause significant health hazards including breathing problems and allergies.

The inspector will also thoroughly evaluate the sewage system, to make sure that the drain pipes are all running as designed. Any blockage in the system might need to be remedied before the home exchanges hands in the sale. If the house has a septic tank instead of being attached to the municipal sewage system, it will need to be thoroughly inspected, to make sure that the leaching field has not reached its life expectancy.

The home inspector will also thoroughly evaluate the exterior of the home. This means they will thoroughly assess the gutters, windows, doors, decks, porches, roof system, foundation and chimney. They will look for any signs of foundation cracks that might need to be replaced as a result of crumbling. They will also thoroughly evaluate all the railings and steps around the house to make sure that they are in proper working order.

It is imperative for every purchaser of a home to have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified inspector before ever taking possession. If any problems are serious and not addressed, there should be a clause in the contract that allows the purchaser to back out of the deal unless the issues are remedied at the expense of the seller.

Achieving the Biggest Profits When Selling Your Real Estate Properties

I have spent most of my life selling commercial and residential properties. I understand that there are major components that every property owner needs to comprehend when selling their own home or office.

It is imperative to always utilize the services of a realtor. Not only are they a professional in the industry, but they have years of experience and tools necessary to get you the best price. In addition they spent endless hours in huge amounts of energy along with their own resources to ensure that they can quickly sell the property in a competitive market.

Many individuals choose to sell their own properties in an effort to avoid paying the commissions to a realtor. However, the huge amount of hassles and headaches involved in selling a profit are hardly worth the 6% or more that a realtor charges. It is important to remember that the real estate agent does more than seek out potential buyers that are willing to offer the best price for the piece of property you want to sell.

Finding the best realtor in the community is simple, especially when using referrals. In addition you can easily find out who recently sold a home or office in the neighborhood and exactly how much it was sold for, based on what was being asked. In addition, ask your friends and neighbors exactly who they use as a realtor, and if they were satisfied with the results.

In addition to selling the property, the realtor will have a long list of money lenders that they typically referred to when they sell a home or office. They can often find valuable insight for a potential buyer that is finding a challenging time locating the best financing. They can usually offer a wide assortment of money lenders from mortgage companies to banking institutions, and provide a referral where the potential buyer can set up an appointment to discuss their financial needs.

In addition to locating the best real estate agent, you will need to consider offering a property inspection to the potential buyer. There are home and office inspectors that are licensed in the state that know how to find every problem or issue with the property. The potential seller can either offer the services upfront or have the home inspection perform before placing it up for sale, or wait until just before closing.

A home inspector will thoroughly evaluate the entire structure from the ground up. They can determine exactly how much life is left in the roof, whether or not there is any termite damage, or problems with the foundation. As a seller, a home inspection is valuable in that it offers peace of mind in knowing that the buyer will not come back after the sale to complain about the condition of the property.

For the buyer, a home inspection offers peace of mind in knowing that any major issue with the house can be remedied before the purchase has been completed.

A Basic Guide In Buying Your First House

Buying a house is a major decision. This is probably the biggest, single investment that you will ever make. You will be committed to making payments on your house for the long term. That is why you owe it to yourself to learn all about the home-buying process to make sure that you follow the right approach. Mistakes can cost you money, and you want to minimize them.

First of all, find out if you can really afford to buy a house. You will need money for the down payment and a total household monthly income that is about three times as high as your monthly mortgage payments. If you are not sure how much you can afford, contact a lender to get pre-qualified for a home loan. Doing this will give you a realistic picture of how big of a loan you can get. That is not to say that you should max out on your loan. If the price range of the type of house that you want buy falls below the maximum loan amount, you should have no problems with financing your purchase.

After that, decide on how big of a house you really need. What is or will be the size of your household? Small children do not take up that much space, but as they grow up, they will need more room. As you tour each house, think of your future needs and visualize the potentials of each house.

The best neighborhoods are usually in the best school districts. Do some research on school statistics in different communities. Homes in desirable locations hold their value better than houses in neighborhoods with issues. So, a good location is always a good investment.

Find yourself a reputable broker who is familiar with the neighborhoods that interest you. He can help you spot a good buy based on your criteria as soon as it hits the market. A good broker can help you look beyond the cosmetic appearance of the house and focus on issues that will affect your lifestyle. You can always change the paint if you do not like it, but it is much harder to change the floorplan if it does not suit your family's lifestyle.

As you are touring different houses, be sure to take a notebook with you. Jot down things about each house that you like and dislike. If it is allowable, take photographs or a video as you walk through the rooms. You will be seeing many houses, and it is easy to forget important details of each property. By jotting down notes and taking photographs, this will help you with recalling important details of the houses that spark your interest.

When you decide on a house, make a realistic offer. The seller will most likely counter with an offer higher than yours. Have in mind the final price that you want to pay and work toward that. If it looks like you will not get the house at the price that you want, you can either walk away from the negotiations, or you can ask for other things in the contract, like certain appliances or pieces of furniture that you like. Sometimes the seller is willing to include those just to make a sale.

These are a few basic tips that can help you make a smart home purchase. Just learn your market, and you will be able to score a good deal.

BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSE IN THE KEYS

If you like to save money and live a bit more healthy, you’ve probably entertained the notion of living in an eco-friendly home. But like a lot of hopes and dreams, it seems that is much harder to get there than it actually are. But once you make a commitment to having an eco-friendly house, you’ll find there’s more to it than benefiting the environment and your health.

The great thing about living in an eco-friendly home is that it’s not only more healthy, it helps the environment and you save more money as time goes by, according to the California Association of Realtors. But those aren’t the only benefits, there are many more.

Benefits of an Eco-Friendly Home

Okay, so you know by now that living in an eco-friendly home means a more healthy lifestyle and benefits the environment, but how does it do those things and what are the other benefits? Here are a few of the most notable:

• There are many financial benefits to living in an eco-friendly home. First and foremost, are utility costs, which are less than a non eco-friendly house. With the right insulation, coupled with energy efficient appliances which can also be solar powered, you’ll use less energy every month and save money on your utility bills.
• Better building materials make for a better, more lasting home. Fewer repairs will be necessary in an eco-friendly house, another money saver.
• Resale and investment are also a big benefit. As the demand for eco-friendly, energy efficient homes continues to rise year after year, owners of such property will see a nice return on their investment when it comes time to sell.
• An eco-friendly home is built from materials which are free of toxins, have natural ventilation, and are typically free of mildew and mold. 
• There are financial incentives to an eco-friendly home as well. Many states and localities, as well as utilities, offer significant rewards for going green because it reduces the load on the system.
• More safety and security. Green homes are generally equipped with advanced safety and security systems, making them ideal for families.

Not only can you enjoy these big benefits, but you’ll be able to directly contribute to the health of the environment. By using less natural resources and being more synergistic with the outside world, you’ll have a home that’s packed with all kinds of pluses.

Lastly, when you buy or upgrade to an eco-friendly home, you are making a significant contribution to you and your family’s longevity. Studies show that living in a green home makes for less health problems.