 The house you’ve chosen to buy may look exactly like the home you’ve always envisioned – great neighborhood, granite countertops, plenty of room to entertain. But, there may be some hidden sins that you’re not aware of.
The few hundred dollars it will cost you to get a pre-inspection of the home can come back to you tenfold if there’s anything significantly wrong with the house. Even if there are no hidden problems, you’ll have peace of mind that’s so important during the house-buying process. During the home inspection, the inspector will examine the home thoroughly and provide you with an evaluation of the condition of the home. Even though the home inspector may not catch every issue with the home, they are experts in what they do and can recognise costly, potential problems in the future. If the inspector finds quite a few problems with the home, you can use that information to your advantage by negotiating a lower price or have it written in the contract that the owner must take care of specified repairs before the settlement date. Not getting an inspection may be costly down the road. You could have faulty wiring that leads to a fire, a defective water heater and many more problems that could impact your future in the home. An inspection is especially critical if you’re purchasing a character home or an older home – even one that has been renovated. You may feel attached to the home because it appears to be the one you’ve always dreamed of – but don’t let that attachment make you blind to the red flags that may be costly and discouraging. If the section of the home you’re considering slopes toward the home, there may be drainage issues and you need to get a landscaper’s opinion. Knowing this ahead of time so you can make the proper changes can save time and money from potential flooding and water damage. Considering buying an older home? Be sure to hire a toxic substance inspector to detect whether the home has traces of mold, asbestos, lead or any other material that is no longer used. Those can be costly issues if not addressed. You may love the big, old trees surrounding the home you want to purchase. But, beware of large roots and tree canopies which can damage what’s beneath it. The foundation, roof and driveway could all be at risk from the roots of trees. It’s worth the money to inspect your home thoroughly before signing on the dotted line to make sure you are getting your dream home and not a nightmare that will cost you more in the future. The good news is, every property that i bring to market has the LIM files from the Council, and a builders report carried out so all buyers have vital information available from day one. As I’ve said in the past - the only surprises I enjoy are surprise parties - not surprise issues with the house that is for sale! Cheers, Paul
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 If you know your situation, have an idea of what you want for a home, and know what you need, you don't want to be the only one that knows. Finding the right agent will help you to improve your chances of getting exactly what you want and finding the best deals that are in the market. If you aren't sure what to look for, then you can follow a few general guidelines to find the perfect match for your needs.
One of the easiest ways to make sure that you are getting involved with the right person is to do your research. Most likely, agents will all have a reputation about how well their services are and what they were able to do for others. By looking into internet sources or by asking other people, you can start out to find the right person and to eliminate some potential problems with those who maybe aren't looking out for your best interests… You don't just have to look at agents from what others are saying. You can also look at how they have their services set up. The most important part of this is determining the overall level of service that you will receive. You will also want to look at credentials and how long they have worked in the area. The more that they know, the more they will be able to help you. If you have never had an agent before, you will want to know standard procedures for how they are supposed to approach you with the business. Make sure that the agent is going to listen to what you want and need and doesn't try to take advantage of what you don't know. You will usually be able to tell where an agent stands with your business by how they respond to your questions and needs with the first phone call, or over the first coffee. Every agent has their own personal touch to showing and marketing homes. If you aren't comfortable with how they are proceeding, it is best to not use them. Whether the home is your first or fiftieth, finding the right agent to help is a huge key to walking into what you want. It is through your agent that you will have the easiest time with making negotiations, communicating with the others involved and finding exactly what you want. Always make sure that your agent knows that your home is where the heart is.  Finding the right home and one that truly fits your lifestyle is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It should fit with your lifestyle and have the right floor plan and style that you’ll love for years to come.
Size is important when considering a home. If you’ve got a large family, they probably won’t be comfortable in a small two-bedroom, but a sprawling lifestyle property may not be the best choice either unless it meets other needs – such as enough bathrooms. Clearly, if you enjoy living in an urban area where you’re close to restaurants, shops and other amenities, you should look for a downtown home that fits your style and your needs. Growing families may be better off in a country or suburban settings where schools and the neighbourhood are important considerations. Think about your pets too. A home with a bigger section may just suit your needs better. Do you like to entertain? Then, consider a floor plan that flows easily – not one chopped up so you can’t visit with your guests while in the kitchen. A deck or patio may also be important so the overflow of people have room to move around. Consider the layout of your new home more than the décor or fancy finishes. It should flow easily from room to room and be functional for what you love to do. Don’t choose based on great carpet in the living room but look for how welcoming it will seem to guests coming from a kitchen or foyer area. If you have trouble visualizing a floor plan that will work for you, consider hiring a design professional for guidance. Your real estate agent may also be able to point you in the right direction and help you consider things that aren’t visible to the eye, such as rates costs in different parts of Whangarei. When considering your home purchase, consider if you’re going to be using your current furniture or buying new furniture that will better fit your floor plan. If you want to use your current furniture, be sure to measure the area to be sure it will fit. While most of us tend to go over-the-top when it comes to purchasing a home, the price of those fancy features or location usually bring us back to earth. You know what you like, what you can live with and what are absolute deal breakers. Happy home hunting! Cheers, Paul. |
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October 2023
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