As a Russ Lyon Sotheby’s realtor, I do everything to protect home buyers and make sure nothing goes wrong when they’re purchasing a home. While I have your back, I came across this list of things that, as a home buyer, you’ll want to remember when buying a home.
Resale Value
This is the #1 thing home buyers tend to overlook. At Russ Lyon Sotheby’s, I know that most people who buy a home don’t plan to stay in it 30 years. That’s why it’s important to look at the resale value of the home you’re thinking about buying.
Part of that process is selecting a property with broad appeal. You don’t want a home with an odd layout or decor unless you’re prepared to remodel.
Also, if you don’t think the home will be a fit for you in the next few years, maybe because of your growing family, it’s best to hold off making the purchase or find another house since you don’t know what the market will be like in a few years.
After Purchase Expenses
The other thing I’ve noticed as a Russ Lyon Sotheby’s realtor, is that home buyers are so focused on what the monthly mortgage payment and closing costs will be, they forget to factor in expenses after the home purchase. Expenses such as landscaping or maybe pool maintenance.
Property Restrictions
Many home buyers also fail to look into any restrictions the property comes with such as parking or perhaps renovations if the house is in a historic district. I know as a Russ Lyon Sotheby’s realtor that once you become the owner, any zoning or title issues go with the property. The seller is no longer responsible.
Check on Past Work
Even though the seller is suppose to disclose any past work done on the home such as renovations and non-permitted work, sometimes homeowners aren’t always honest. That’s why as a buyer, you should check on all past permits to make sure any work was in fact done and then see if it was signed off on by the local city or town.
You might notice a room addition or a renovated bathroom or kitchen. If you can’t find a permit for that, it’s a red flag. Perhaps the work was done without a permit and not up to code. At Russ Lyon Sotheby’s, I know that as the new homeowner, you could be required to tear the work out and start again.
HOA
If the property you’re about to purchase has an HOA, be sure to look into it before closing. You’ll want to check to see if there’s an upcoming assessment and if the current homeowner is up-to-date on monthly fees. You might also want to check with neighbors to make sure the HOA is not unreasonable in expectations or handing out fines.
Do Your Homework
As a buyer, you need to check out the neighborhood. At Russ Lyon Sotheby’s, I can only go so far in finding you that perfect house. You need to do your research into schools in the neighborhood, crime, traffic patterns, and so on. You should also make an attempt to talk to your new neighbors to see if you like them.
In the end, the easy things that home buyers typically forget to do when buying a home could end up causing trouble later on. Take care of any problems now.