In our most recent article, readers learned some key things to be aware of when house shopping. This week, we are wrapping up this series. For those buying or looking to update their home, contact our locally family-owned electric company for unbeatable quotes.
Get the most for your money:
Last time you dropped in, you read about a few major red flags. Get ready for some more! Be cognizant of the fact that your realtor is also the listing agent.
It is usually recommended to find a new buyer’s agent to represent you during the buying process. To be safe, it is best to have an unbiased agent to guide you through the real estate transaction. Listing agent’s job is to get top dollar for the seller’s home after all.
Of course, it is not in a buyer’s best interest to pay top dollar. The listing agent may be so driven to get the deal closed that they may lose sight of what is best for you. There are a few ways to cross a few potential homes off a list before seeing them in person.
Look for good bones in a home:
If the listing photos are limited, this could be a sign there is not much to see. On the contrary, there could be plenty more space in the home, but the space may just have plenty of issues that would deter buyers from touring. Listing agents know that once a buyer is in the home, they may be able to overlook more issues once they are physically in the house due to emotional connection as opposed to if they had seen the issues ahead of time in pictures.
Also, if the home is on close to a major highway or on a well-known busy road, this could quickly be discovered with a quick online search. Search on Google Maps prior to visiting the home to check for heavy traffic. Even if you okay with living on a busy road, you will find it horrible for resale.
Check for permit and original blueprints. If the home was renovated or added onto at different points in time, this may be a sing the work is not up to current codes. Permit requirements and regulations change over time, and some of the work may not be officially permitted at all.
If the house was clearly a fix, check into who renovated the home. Some developers have a bad reputation for cutting corners and putting only the bare minimum into houses. This can be especially true if they did not live in the home.
While a home may have beautifully renovated checking off aesthetic must-haves, more important components may not have been improved. Aim to get costly upgrades such as the following:
- HVAC system
- plumbing
- electrical rewiring
- roofing
- fencing
- garage door opener
If a home has a new roof or rewiring, ask the seller’s agent for the business names that did the work. Only accept outstanding electrical work. As for roofing, reviews are usually easily accessible online. Know what sort of roofing was used its lifespan.
Red flags to lookout for:
When a home is suddenly back on the market after being under contract, this may be a sign some costly issues were found during inspection. This is very common, and your agent should be looking out for this. For readers that have been around a while, a home with a distinct strange smell can be a sign of fire hazards.
Some homes have less-than-desirable odor which should not be written off to poor cleaning. Undesirable odors can indicate water damage, mold, pests, HVAC issues, plumping, or electrical issues.
Come back next week as we share valuable information on generators. Every Floridian should know their option and be prepared for every family member’s needs. Remember to call us with any urgent electrical repairs or even for a simple electrical question. Stop by again soon!
Staff Writer
