How Do I Get The Real Scoop On Homes?
When you are searching for that special property that will fell right to live in you are sometimes unaware from the outside what a property that looks reasonable actually has to offer you in the long run.
Methods To Get The Scoop
To find out what the 'real scoop' is with the house you are interested in requires a few different methods. The first option available to you is to hire a home inspector to take a look at the inside and outside of the prospective home.
A home inspector is a qualified and experienced person, who will be able to look around the house and give you feedback on the overall quality of the house, any minor problems and anything that needs immediate attention, before you purchase the property.
Asking your agent for their experience can also help you to determine the quality of the property you are interested in. Your realtor will have the necessary experience to give you some basic advice about the property and what you can expect.
Also available to you is the disclosure requirements of the seller. Although disclosure laws vary by state the law normally requires the seller to carryout a real estate transfer disclosure statement.
What's Included
The real estate transfer disclosure is a through document highlighting in detail the possessions in and attached to the house. Although it is difficult to highlight everything that may go into the document the things that you should expect to see include the following:
Description of items in the kitchen: oven, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal and trash compactor. Safety features in the house: for example burglar and fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, security gate, window screens and intercom. External devices: Items such as a TV antenna or satellite dish, garage door, and automatic garage door opener and rain gutters. Amenities: these can include pool or spa, patio or deck, built-in barbeque and fireplaces. Heating devices: type, condition of electrical wiring, gas supplies any external power source, e.g. solar panels. Water supplies: type of water heater, water supply, sewer system or septic tank
Disclosure
Sellers who fill out a disclosure form are also required to indicate any major defects or malfunctions that exist in the major systems of the home. The presence of the following should also be noted in the disclosure form:
Environmental hazards Walls or fences shared with adjoining landowners Room additions or repairs (especially those made without the necessary permits or not in compliance with building codes) Zoning violations Citations against the property Lawsuits against the seller affecting the property
Damage from settling, sliding or soil problems, flooding or drainage problems and any from earthquakes, floods or landslides should be looked for before buying the property.
If you are thinking of buying a condominium you must be told about covenants, codes and restrictions or other deed restrictions on your property.
