Living in a culture that places more and more emphasis on instant gratification, it’s no wonder why so many overzealous home buyers fall in love with a perceived dream home they know little to nothing about. Sure, first impressions certainly matter, but when it comes to home ownership–and the myriad financial implications that come with it–you can’t be too careful to expose and consider every current or potential issue that could turn your dream home into a nightmare.
To break this down even further, it’s necessary to consider three potential home ownership problem areas–price, condition, and neighborhood. These areas are all interconnected, and it’s likely that one will influence another. Here are some questions to consider and ask of your Realtor before making the final decision to buy.
Price—What It Is and What It Will Be
The typical strategy most buyers employ when researching home prices is to look at the average home price of the neighborhood. While this is a good starting place, asking price is not the only metric you should consider. It’s important to ask questions like “what did the seller pay?” Not that this has anything to do with negotiating, but it helps in revealing if home prices in the area are going up or down. It’s also necessary to ask for what other homes in the neighborhood have sold, as this is what your lender’s appraiser will use to compute a home’s value. Finally, it’s important to ask how long your potential dream home has been on the market. A home that’s been on the market longer than 60 days is prime for negotiation!
Condition—The Good, the Bad, and the Un-Insulated Attic
Homes that are a little rough around the edges can be great bargains. However, while the sticker price may be a steal of a deal, it should come as an obvious fact that repair costs can stack up and sink you into a financial hole without asking the right questions. For instance, what’s the condition of the pipes? Have they ever frozen or been replaced? Has there even been an issue with mold or mildew under the carpets? Has the electrical been inspected in the past 50 years? (If not, it’s highly suggested you hire an electrician to do so.) Is the attic insulated (a huge energy waster for those in colder climates)? These are all incredibly important issues to take into consideration before deciding to purchase. If your gut tells you it’s not worth it, then it probably isn’t.
Neighborhood—Who You’re Going to Live Next To, Their Habits, and Animals
Location is often touted as the most important aspect to consider in purchasing real estate—and for good reason. A great piece of land in a great place is what got your home to where it is in the first place. But places change over time. Talk to the neighbors. Ask them how the neighborhood has shifted in the past five to 10 years. Ask them what nuisance factors exist in the neighborhood. For instance, maybe living next to a highway or within walking distance to popular nightlife spots comes with issues you don’t want to deal with. Maybe your future neighbors also have extremely vocal pets that will keep you up all night. It’s also important to ask your Realtor what development trends have been like in the area over the past decade. The appearance of apartment buildings and industrial utility centers can have a deleterious effect on home values in the surrounding area.
Keep these questions in mind and don’t be afraid of a little seller interrogation. It shows that you’re considerate of both you and the seller’s time and aren’t in the business of wasting either. Happy hunting!
My husband and I are looking at a house that has an HOA, but we never lived with one before so we are curious to know if there are benefits to having one. I liked how you pointed out that one good thing is that they will provide a landscape company to help with the yard work. It will be great not having to worry about spending all of our time doing it, but having it still look nice.
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I would love to have a tiny home to live in! It seems more manageable and affordable. The Hiatus in Oregon is beautiful. I love the wood floors. can you put a tiny house on any property? Thanks for the inspiration and information!
I have a home in Stamford CT and I am looking for someone to assume my mortgage. Not sure if you are interested in something like this based on what I saw on your website. Eric
Is it possible to buy a first home with a 580 credit score? The house is in Groton ct and is only $90,000