House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

[GAMEC0CK2002]

I've grown tired of paying rent and looking to buy a house by the end of the year. What advice do ya got?

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Check the history of that house.....like prior flood damage, fire damage, etc. Ask several people in that neighborhood if it is flood prone. If there is a toliet in the basement, see if it has a sewer back flow valve. If not you will want to have one installed.

If it rains heavy, the sewer going to back up and come up through that toliet and flood your basement if you don't have that back flow valve. Also you will want a battery back up for your sump pump.

Hmmmm........check the pipes throughout the house including in the basement. Flush all toliets, run all facets and stuff to check how well the water pressure is in that house and if there any leaks anywhere.

Other then that happy hunting and TAKE YOUR TIME.

[kodiak]

Go to hgtv.com and click on the first time home buyers link. Lots of good info for you.

make sure you check your credit and fix any issues if you have some. Then find yourself a good mortgage company and get a preapproval letter. Then just follow all the tips on that website.


Sent from.....

[p_rushing]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Get a realtor that you trust and they will help with everything. Make sure you get a good inspection so you know if there is anything that you can't see with the untrained eye.

As for the home and neighborhood, try to visit it on different times and days. You could end up with some bad neighbors if you only go visit the house at the same time. You want to know what it is like during the day and night.

[Skyboxer]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Check for trees near the house as far as the health etc..
If there is a crawl space/basemant check the foundation/walls for cracks etc...
Tree roots will eventually crack the walls etc..

Check, if any, home owner restrictions. Some are pretty rediculous.

Like previously said, check pipes and see what kind of drainage/plumbing they have for laundry area.

[IndianBird]

Don't buy more than you can afford.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Are you buying the house to stay there for awhile? Investment?

I just closed on my first house last year, the things I looked out for are the good schools in the area. I don't have kids but finding homes with good schools and shopping near by are going to be easier to sell in the future

List and prioritize on what you really want. Big back yard, big garage, living room, pool, big master bed ect.

Be prepared financially of course. I had in total 15 gz used for the my down payment and repairs. My house closed at 155k but spent money painting/taking down pop corn ceilings and small repairs and furniture.

[NDAlum]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

20% down
15 year mortgage

Only way to buy a home. I did not and I regret that mistake.

[IndianBird]

20% down
15 year mortgage

Only way to buy a home. I did not and I regret that mistake.

This is absolutely correct. I hope he ignores those who tell him differently.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

All the above posts and compromise wisely. You can't get everything you want in a house usually unless you build it yourself.

[Splitter77]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

check the radon and make sure there is no sump pump

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

check the radon and make sure there is no sump pump

Ummm if he moves to an area that has a lot of water under ground, he is going to have to have a sump pump. Can't live in most places in the midwest and northeast without a sump pump.

Basement would flood even with no rain, just from natural under ground water tables.

[ehh]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

20% down
15 year mortgage

Only way to buy a home. I did not and I regret that mistake.

I've just started to looking into buying something and I checked a mortgage calculator at one site (can't remember which one) and with a 30-year mortgage and 10% down a $250k house was going to run you nearly $850k by the time you paid it off. Absolutely insane.

[ODogg]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Ask if there have ever been any deaths in the house. Then ask if there has ever been any paranormal activity in the house. By law they DO have to tell you.

[Crimsontide27]

Re: House buying tips, suggestions, things to look out for, etc

Get a housing inspector from OUT of the local area. Many times the local housing inspectors and realtors are in cahoots and will sell you a house with a good bill of health, that really has many problems.

Ive bought a few houses over the last few years, and in my experience, the out of area housing inspectors find many...many more issues with the house than the locals do that can potentially profit from your lack of information.