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Buying a Home
By David Shapard of Efusjon.com/dshapard
The Home buying process can be exciting and rewarding. In today's market there are plenty of homes available, be on the lookout for that perfect one! The abundance of choices, lowered prices, and incentives from government agencies makes this market particlularly appealing but buyer beware! Once highly impactful in the process, a home inspection is a must. This is a process conducted by professionals with working knowledge pertaining to structure quality and different aspects of efficiency. In many cases a home inspector is recommended by the realtor of the buyer, although the inspector your realtor recommends may not be working in YOUR best interest. Some realtors have working relationships with inspectors willing to gloss over potential problems to avoid any roadblocks that could delay the sale. This short but extremely important part of the homebuying process goes largely unnoticed in today's tumultuous market. Financing regulations have taken over the watchful eye. Financing your home is very complicated and deserves scrutiny, but overlooking potential costly repairs could prove to be fiancially devastating. Many regulations and safety precautions are put in place to protect your average American from fraud and hazards. We see those regulations in almost every aspect of our lives, from your local park to the supermarket. So we can expect that our produce is edible, our doctors are licensed, railings are secure, and our new car is safe to drive. Use the opportunity, that you PAY for, of a home inspection to fully understand what you are buying.
What to look for: Plumming - are the pipes galvanized steel? Plumming should consist of copper (water under pressure) and plastic (sewage). Galvanized piping will corrode, back up, and eventually need to be replaced. Also, take time to inspect the faucets and fixtures to ensure each work properly. ELECTICAL - should be updated to breakers, as fuses and "knob and tube" wiring are not only uninsurable by most insurance companies but pose a serious fire hazard. Look for ground fault outlets around sinks and counters, these greatly reduce the risk of electic shock and potential fires. Also, be on the lookout for outdated electical sockets. Older sockets, also, have very high risk factors for fire and electric shock. ROOFING and GUTTERS - these areas are critical to keeping water from entering the home. Water can lead to mold which is known to cause health problems and allergies. Visually inspect the gutters to spot any evidence of blockage or damage. Blocked or broken downspouts can divert water toward the home causing seepage into windows or walls and, in the case of winter, cause ice to build up which can cause considerable damage. Inside, look for dark spots on the ceilings and walls. Plaster walls tend to bulge and become uneven when exposed to water. Common cover-ups could be fresh paint or a new layer of sheetrock. Make it a point to see the attic to look for evidence of water. Basement - check to see if the property you are interested in purchasing is located in a flood zone; you can find this information in the town records. In the event the property is in a flood zone, check for evidence of water levels in the basement and whether water control devices have been installed e.g. sump pump, drain tiles... also look for cracks in the foundation as this could be a very serious issue. Flooded basements leave a ring on the walls that are consistent throughout. |
http://www.hud.gov
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This intel was contributed by shapard
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May, 2012
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