Buying a new house is certainly a complicated process in most cases. Even when you hire a skilled real estate professional, there can be problems that literally slip through the cracks, and you can find yourself buying a house that has foundation issues, hides problems that are hard to see at first, or that the previous owner never really owned to begin with.
Going Beyond Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is great, and a lot of people use it as an excuse to boost up their prices. It’s true, when you invite guests to see your new home, their first impression will be pretty important to consider. However, beyond that, you’ll find that it’s far more important to look at the practical issues of what might be wrong with the home, before you buy it.
Foundation work can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix, and a leaky roof, old wiring and faulty plumbing can also be pretty expensive to repair or replace. So always ask about any functional issues the home might have, or ask your realtor to inquire in your place.
Questions About the Structural Integrity of the Home
Structural integrity problems can extend beyond foundation work. Mold and rotting wooden elements in the roof and other areas of the home can lead to structural problems that might only show when the next big storm hits.
If you want to avoid these issues and the expensive repairs that will come along with them later on, it’s important to ask about specific issues, such as roofing damage and the age of the roof, mold and mildew-related problems, and whether or not the basement tends to flood. The seller’s agent is obligated by law to instruct their client not to hide any such damages, however it’s good practice to also have an expert appraiser inspect the house for good measure.
Boundaries, Liens and Title Issues
You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new home only to have to deal with boundary issues and litigation with neighbors, old liens that you didn’t know about, or an unknown heir coming to claim the title for themselves.
These are essential issues you have to ask the seller and the listing agent about. They also warrant contacting a dependable title insurance agency and consult your realtor to find out what other steps you can take to avoid having to deal with these types of concerns in the future.
The Advantage of Hiring a Skilled Realtor
An experienced buyer’s agent can make all the difference in the world when it comes to dealing with all of these concerns and many others. When it comes to buying a new house, the expertise and experience of a popular real estate agent Westminster homeowners use will show in full, and when you hire one who knows all about what could go wrong before and during the closing process, you’ll have a great advantage on your side.
Make sure to follow the advice of your skilled Westminster real estate agent closely, and you’ll find that the process of buying your new dream home will go very smoothly.