Advice on Buying a Home & Viewing Properties
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| Preparedness is key to eliminating many of the burdens of finding a home. Fortunately, by a having a property checklist and the right questions, the task of relocating to a new home can go from a headache, to trouble-free experience. |
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| The first tip we have for homebuyers is to ensure that your insurance is effective the day you move in. Talk to your roommate about whether this has been done – it is possible it slipped their mind. To put it in better perspective, if a vase should drop and break someone’s toe, who wants to deal with a bill of a few thousand dollars? |
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| The best way to go, according to the pros, is to have an idea in mind of what you want prior to your search. Researching and writing down the qualities you are looking for in a home before you go can save you countless hours of tiresome visits. Here is some home buyers' advice to find a new home: |
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- HOUSE CONDITION: When cost is an issue, it might be recommended to find a home that you can fix-up.
- HOUSE STYLE: Understand that there are many kinds of home styles from Cape Cods and Split-Levels to Colonials and Victorians.
- LIVING SPACE: What’s the area of your current residence? How much area (sq. ft.) do you and/or your family need to be comfortable? Is your family getting bigger? Smaller? All good things to consider.
- BEDROOMS: Do you want the bedrooms all on the same floor and how many bedrooms do you need?
- BACKYARD: What size backyard? Must it be fenced to keep kids or pets from running astray? Planning on a pool for the future, and if so, are you zoned for one?
- NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, Uptown, Suburbs, the Countryside? There are a lot of factors to consider like shopping, quality of schools or proximity to the office.
- PARKING: How many parking spaces do you require or will you require in the near future?
- AVAILABILITY: How soon do you wan to relocate?
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| Don’t spend time on houses that do not mesh with your criteria. Look carefully at the main points above – as soon as you take itinerary of your home needs, you are ready to begin the search. Be sure to bring along a notepad and your property inspection checklist to help you evaluate, and remember, any properties visited. |
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| When you find properties that meet your criteria, go back again. Generally the initial visit gives you a feeling for the home and community, whereas a second trip allows you the opportunity to look at some of the finer points. Talk to the locals and potential neighbors. Take a drive from the home to your work and get a feel for the commute. Purchase the local paper and find out what’s happening in the vicinity. You might also consider visiting the property at various times during the day -- especially useful when evaluating changing traffic patterns and lighting conditions. |
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| When possible speak to the home seller as to why they are moving. Inquire about costs, schools, crime, or anything else you may think of. Always remember to keep negative opinions of the property to yourself when the owner is present. |
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