Tag: first-time homeowner

5 Costly Reasons You Should Never Skip a Home Inspection

March 29, 2021

Today’s housing market is more competitive than the majority of buyers and real estate professionals have experienced in their lifetime. Purchasing in a hot seller’s market, facing a low-inventory challenge, and competing with upwards of 30 offers can make it feel like anything goes when it comes to landing your dream home. You may even be tempted to skip a home inspection in order to speed the process along and make a “clean” offer the seller can’t refuse. But despite current market trends, a home inspection is still a crucial step in the buying process. Here’s why you absolutely need a home inspection: 1. Your Family’s Safety is at StakeYour home inspector assesses thousands of different components of a house to identify issues ranging from small to serious. That means they’ll look for loose doorknobs and malfunctioning garbage disposals. But they’ll also check for potentially serious problems, like the presence of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace, radon, mold, and fire hazards. Opting out of an inspection could put your family’s safety in jeopardy. 2. You’ll Want an “Out” in Your ContractYour home may just be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. Making an offer contingent on a home

How to Put Together Your First Household Tool Kit

June 27, 2019

A tool kit is a necessity for any homeowner. Here’s a list of fundamental tools that should be included with any beginner tool kit. HammerYou can never go wrong with the humble hammer. From assembling furniture to hanging pictures, this is a tool you’ll reach for time and time again. Look for a 16 oz. head weight for general DIY projects or a 20 oz. head for demolition work. Utility KnifeOtherwise known as a box cutter, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one of these. Besides the obvious benefit when it comes to breaking down cardboard boxes, you’ll reach for your utility knife whenever you need to cut sheetrock or drywall, slice fiberglass insulation or scratch out old grout. PliersDifferent types of pliers are perfect for cutting wire or removing nails. You’ll need a small assortment of sizes and types, like needle nose, wire cutting, locking and tongue-and-groove pliers. ScrewdriversWhen it comes to screwdrivers, you’ll need two: a Phillips head and a flat head. While you should be good to go with a medium size in both, it never hurts to go for a set of smaller screwdrivers as well. These can be used for repairing eyeglasses, electronics,

After the Home Inspection: When to Request a Repair

June 24, 2019

When housing markets are hot, buyers have to be flexible when it comes to minor defects in a house they want. Because a home might have multiple competitive offers, it’s important to know how to get yours accepted so you can move into your dream home ASAP. While it would be ideal if the seller offered to fix every issue your home inspector finds, that’s not often realistic. Instead, you need to know which items are potential deal-breakers and which repairs can safely be put off until after closing. We’ll show you when you should request repairs to a home you’re looking at buying, and when asking for a repair could needlessly sink the deal. Don’t Sweat Little IssuesBuying a house is a big investment, so it makes sense that you’d want everything perfect. However, that’s not a reasonable expectation. Unless you’re building your home, every house is a used house, and they’re all going to have idiosyncrasies and blemishes that you’ll have to compromise on. What kinds of things are we talking about? Here’s a handy list: 1. Cosmetic Problems: There might be a crack in a tile, some scratched paint or old carpet you’re not a huge fan

The Most Important Features for Your Wish List When Searching for an Accessible Home

May 21, 2019

By Patrick Young of the blog AbleUSA.info House hunting isn’t always a straightforward process. From start to finish, there are so many factors to consider. When you’re looking for a home that is accessible, you have a few extra things to keep in mind. Some homes may already have accessibility features, while others may need some modifications. We’re here to help guide you through it all, from getting started to finding the perfect home and getting ready to move in. Getting StartedIf you’re a first-time house hunter, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the process. Before you start searching in earnest, familiarize yourself with the steps involved. You need to set a budget and understand the costs, brainstorm about what you’re looking for, and get a feel for how long it all takes. Your overall budget will need to include a down payment, mortgage costs, and other expenses like closing costs. To qualify for a mortgage, it’s important to get a copy of your credit report and do as much as you can to improve your credit score. If you have outstanding debt, you need a plan to address it. This isn’t something that happens overnight; however, be

5 Must-Ask Questions For Your Home Inspector After the Inspection

May 3, 2019

When you’re in the middle of buying a home, it’s easy to get lost in the process. One thing you shouldn’t overlook is the opportunity to get answers to essential questions from your home inspector. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve developed this list of must-ask home inspection questions to help you cover all your bases and completely understand your new home. 1. “Can I get an explanation?”Depending on how many issues your inspector finds, it’s common for their report to be 50 to 90 pages long, which can be daunting. While your inspector will make your report as easy to understand as possible, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you need it—after all, this is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so you want to be sure you understand the home’s issues before you buy. As soon as you receive the home inspection report, go through it carefully and mark any sections that you don’t completely understand. Then call your inspector and ask them to address your questions. 2. “Is this a big problem or a small one?”If your inspection report ends up on the longer side, don’t get overwhelmed. Most issues

The 5 Best Housewarming Gifts to Give a New Homeowner

February 15, 2019

Nothing says “welcome to the neighborhood” or “congratulations on your new home” like a housewarming gift. Whether you want to drop by and introduce yourself to new neighbors or you’ve received a formal invitation to a housewarming party, this list will ensure you don’t arrive empty-handed. 1. Glass food storage containers This one is a little unconventional, but let us explain. Think of your own storage container collection. Unless you’ve culled it recently using some tried and true decluttering tricks, you’ve probably got a mismatched pile of lids and containers. Some are glass, some are plastic, some are long gone, but their lids remain. Wouldn’t YOU love a brand new set so you can start from scratch in your brand new home? We know we would! 2. A gift card to a nearby pizza restaurant Moving is an exhausting process and unpacking can be drawn out for weeks. Who has time to cook? A gift card to a local pizza restaurant that delivers to the neighborhood will never go amiss. Bonus idea: gather menus from your favorite local takeout restaurants, decorate a fun folder and present it along with the gift card. You’ll get to bond over great food and

5 Home Inspection Myths You Shouldn’t Fall For

October 19, 2018

Ordering a home inspection is the most critical part of the buying process. Because of the crucial role your inspector plays, there are lots of misconceptions out there about his or her exact part in the transaction. We’re here to clear up some common myths and help you learn what to expect from that all-important inspection report. Myth #1: Your inspector can advise you on whether or not to buy the house.Truth: Your inspector is considered an impartial observer and should never advise you on whether or not to move forward with the sales process. An inspector’s role is to tell you about the condition of the home so that you can make your own educated decision. And if you think they can be coaxed into disclosing their opinion, think again. Even if you come right out and ask, “Would you buy this house?” a good inspector will stand firm and reiterate that they can only tell you what’s working and what’s not. This is actually for the best! You’ll want a third party looking at the home with fresh eyes, one whose only job is to educate you, not sway your opinion. Myth #2: Your home inspector will tear

Do You Really Need a Home Inspection?

October 11, 2018

As a home inspector, there is no question that I am going to be biased toward people using the services of a competent home inspector, whenever they are in the process of buying or selling a property. However, people don’t have to take the word of a home inspector; all they need to do is ask a REALTOR®, a mortgage broker, a lawyer or even Mike Holmes. All of these professionals will come back with the same clear recommendation: You should always have your home inspected by a qualified home inspector. If you do a quick search on the Internet for “common mistakes by first-time home buyers,” you will find that not having a home inspection is always near the top of this list. Sadly, it’s not unusual to see first-time home buyers become overwhelmed with all of the various costs associated with purchasing their first home. Some will even look for creative ways to stretch their limited home-purchasing budget and choose not to hire a home inspector to try to save money. But that old saying, “penny wise, pound foolish,” certainly comes to mind. Another important point to consider as to why home buyers should hire the services of

Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

August 29, 2018

When you’re trying to sell your home, should you hire your own home inspector? It’s a good question, and it’s one many homeowners ask their real estate agents before putting their houses on the market. As it turns out, there are a lot of great reasons to get a pre-listing home inspection before a buyer makes an offer. We’ll tell you everything you need to know below for a smooth, hassle-free sale process. 1. You won’t be surprised. There are certain flaws about your home you’re already well aware of, but what about the things you know nothing about? When you order a pre-listing inspection, you get a top-to-bottom report of hundreds of features and systems in your home. If any problems are revealed, you’ll have a chance to repair them or build repairs into your asking price. This is especially good for DIYers, who can save a lot of money by completing simple repairs themselves. 2. You can price your home more accurately. Pricing is one of the toughest parts of selling your home, but a pre-listing inspection makes it easier. Once you have a full picture of your home’s strengths and weaknesses, you can be a lot more