OTHER HELPFUL IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME PURCHASE

Using a Realtor The best way to find a good real estate agent is to ask your friends. Agents know that much of their business comes through referrals, so you will be especially welcome if you tell an agent that a friend recommended him or her. Otherwise, you can look in the yellow pages under “Real Estate” to find an agent, or ask your attorney or accountant, if you have one. When interviewing potential agents, the most important thing is your trust in him or her. Meet with several agents until you find one with whom you feel most comfortable. Property Reports Hiring a professional home inspector is a worthwhile expense. Usually for $250 to $350, the inspector will examine all aspects of the property and provide a written report of all defects or possible future problems. The report can be an assurance to you that the home is well-made and in good condition. The inspection report also is written evidence of the home’s defects; it can help you negotiate a lower price for the home or help you create a “fix-it” list for the seller.

Home Evaluation Checklist

Before you purchase your home, you’ll want to feel confident that you’re getting a sturdy, well-built house. Below is a home inspection list that will help guide you as you evaluate the health of your home.

• Year of construction

Older homes can be beautiful and charming, but they can have hidden damages and structural weaknesses as well.
• Electricity

Many older houses were not designed to handle modern, high-energy appliances like hair dryers, space heaters, microwave ovens, halogen lamps, and power tools. Using these items in an old house can cause electrical fires. An electrician can bring the home up to modern electrical standards, but the work could be fairly expensive.
• Plumbing

Hot water causes lead to leach from lead pipe surfaces and contaminate your drinking water. This contamination can cause serious adverse health effects, especially in children. If you look at old homes, be sure to ask whether the drinking water pipes are made from lead.
• Paint

Homes painted before the 1980s might contain lead paint. If a home has not been painted since then, and the paint appears to be flaking off, you should hire a professional to remove the paint safely and properly, and then repaint the home.
• Code compliance

Even the most modern homes might not comply with building codes and health and safety regulations. If you hire an inspector to examine a home, be sure to ask him or her to review the home for code violations.
• Condition of the home at different times of the day

If you like one home in particular, make an appointment to examine it at night as well as during the day. Loud noises (such as from a nearby freeway), and other problems with the house, such as insect infestations and unruly neighbors, might show up only after dusk.
• Neighbors

There is nothing wrong with knocking on the next-door neighbor’s home and asking how he or she likes living in the neighborhood. It’s best to be informed of neighborhood issues before you buy a home.
• Utilities

Not all homes have the same utilities and public services.
• Heating and cooling systems

Most homes have appropriate heating and cooling systems for the local climate, but you should ask to be sure.
• Some basic services you should consider include:

- Requirement of private garbage disposal services
- City sewer system vs. your own septic tank
- Access to cable or satellite television
- Private roads that may require maintenance
- Special city assessments, such as for new public roads leading to the property