Purchasing a property regardless of whether it’s a family home, condo or rental complex requires you to first do your homework. These following five key areas should be investigated prior to the purchase of any property:

1. Arrange Financing
   Understanding the different types of mortgages, what you qualify for and negotiating the best rate and terms should all be completed before you even look at your first property.
   You don’t want to waste anyone’s time, including your own, looking at properties and getting excited only to find out your credit history is so poor that nobody is going to finance you at this time. Ensure you have spoken with a mortgage broker or other financial lender and have been pre-qualified for a particular price range.
   Now that you know your price range it will save you time and help you narrow your search. You may have been approved; however, most lending institutions now also require that once you find a property it too will need to be approved, based on a professional appraisal. This helps prevent individuals from over mortgaging properties. So remember, you and the property need to be approved.
2. Find a Realtor
   Licensed realtors work with real estate transactions every day. They only make money when a deal comes together so they will work hard to ensure you find what you need.
   Agents can be a great source of knowledge but I would avoid a dual-agency situation. This is when one agent is looking after the interests of both parties to the transaction. It is my experience that in all real-estate transactions each party is better represented by separate agents.
   In the typical real estate transaction the seller will engage the services of a realtor to list their property for sale. The seller pays a commission to his/her agent of which a percentage is paid to the selling agent. Therefore, as a buyer you receive the services of your agent free of charge.
3. Consult a Lawyer
   This is one area you do not want to try and save a few dollars by attempting to close a deal yourself. It is imperative that you find a “real estate” lawyer that knows the area in which the property is located.
   Finding out the dream home you just purchased didn’t actually belong to the person you gave the money to, or is sitting on an old waste dump and seeping methane gas, can put a real damper on moving day.
   You may not see all the work your lawyer does, behind the scenes, but you will sure notice the complications if they are not done.
4. Conduct a Property Inspection
   In my experience people will often spend more time inspecting, test-driving and having their mechanic examine a used $5,000 car than they do inspecting a $200,000 home. The information you can gain from an inspection from a reputable, qualified home inspector is priceless, yet only costs a few hundred dollars.
   The purpose of this home inspection is generally not to make or break the deal but rather, open the purchasers eyes to what updates and changes will need to be completed and when they should be completed. A $300,000 home may no longer be worth $300,000 if you find it needs a new roof, furnace, foundation repairs etc.
   It’s hard to negotiate a price if you don’t know what exactly you’re buying.
5. Prepare your best offer
   Hopefully, you are using the resources of a realtor to help you in preparing the offer as it can be very complex.
   The first thing you need to know is: are you the only person making an offer or will you be competing with others. If you are competing – all gloves are off. You must make the best offer up front, no games. Give the highest price you are willing to pay and remove every condition you can, then pray.
   Otherwise, several factors come into play: how long has the property been on the market, how this property compares to others in the immediate area, how it compares to others on the same price range, what did your home inspection reveal etc.
   Always include a deposit amount large enough to show you are serious (You will get it back if the offer is not accepted). Focus on the big issues: Purchase price, closing date, conditions for inspection and financing. Don’t argue over curtains and kitchen tables.
   In summary, real estate buying can be exciting, profitable and enjoyable however, it is not something you should try alone. You would be wise to utilize the expertise of several professionals. If you have chosen a reputable realtor and lawyer – listen to them, they know what they’re doing. First try a mortgage calculator on line like the one at

If you are going to purchase your home then it is a thrilling experience and you will remember it for your lifetime. However, the house purchase process goes through several important phases and the first of them involves home inspection. As you can figure out, home inspection is an important part of this whole buying process and you need to be aware of it to make a better house purchase decision.
Why home inspection is so important?
First of all a home inspection will tell you what condition the house is in. In case the home inspection reveals major flaws in the house then you are in a better position to discuss price reduction with your seller.
In addition to it you will be able to make the house owner correct those problems before it is sold. In home inspection problems causing health hazards can also be traced and thus such inspection will make sure your family’s health does not get affected.
What questions should you ask?
During home inspection you should be present there and ask as many questions as you feel like to home inspector. You will find that the home inspector will be more than happy to respond to all your queries. Few such questions that are important to ask are as follows:
Inquire about condition of drainage system in and around the house and if knob/tube/aluminum wiring is utilized since such wiring normally exists in old houses and often creates problems in approval of home insurance.You can also ask about methods by which you can keep the basement dry, ways to rectify exterior problems and what are the things you can do to enhance roofing’s lifespan.Ask about condition of plumbing in the house, in case clean out cap for the sewer is new then you will know that there is some kind of problem and you should inquire about it from home inspector. Additionally, you should get information related to age of sewer pipes as well as plumbing supplies.Lastly, raise queries with regards to the structural design of house as well as the type of heating system which is presently installed in the house.
Benefits of Home Inspection
The main benefit of home inspection is that it can help you find problems in the house such as:
Wasping or broken edges which indicate that asphalt shingles have deteriorated.Bulging or leaning of outside walls.Roof sagging in between rafters and trusses.No grounding for electrical outlets.At downspouts the gutters have no downward sloping.De-laminated condition wooden roof (deck) close to where shingles row ends.Broker masonry cap in chimney.Corrosion in water pipes.Flaking masonry in decks/porches.Too much extension of downspouts from foundations.Basement having water penetration identified from stains or loose tiles.Bowing foundations with effluorescence marks.Kitchens/bathrooms with rotting/staining under counter tops.Walls with drywall seams.
Conclusion
To conclude we can say that if you keep note of the abovementioned problems & get all the necessary details from home inspector, you will be sure that you are paying the right price for the house and no problems will occur in future.

Buying a new home can be overwhelming to say the least. The excitement of finally finding the one house to call your own is unparalleled. Nevertheless, some future homeowners disregard closing costs until the last minute, which can lead to a great deal of stress. Here is a quick checklist of a few of the expenses you should keep in mind during this memorable experience.
Inspection
A home inspection is a vital tool for the new buyer, as it can provide you with some peace of mind regarding the status of your new home. Home inspection identifies any structural, water, and/or electrical damage, and allows you to know what you are getting into and budget accordingly. Inspection costs can vary, but generally run for around $400. Furthermore, if an inspector discovers a plumbing problem or other household issue, then you are able to prepare financially for future maintenance. As a result, the upkeep will not come as a surprise later on.
Prepaid Costs
Frequently new homebuyers forget prepaid costs, such as water bills, utilities, home association fees, and property taxes. These bills should be discussed upfront with your real estate agent. An experienced, reputable realtor should review this list with you before closing and advise accordingly. Just make sure to have money set aside for such costs.
Appraisals
Financial institutions may require a home appraisal before approving your loan. This is a regular practice. Keep in mind that appraisers are licensed professionals by individual states, and some lenders do have an appraiser on-staff. If you are not comfortable having your lender provide you with an appraiser, feel free to hire someone who does not have any ties. Appraisal costs vary depending on your state of residence – the best person to advise you on this task is your realtor.
Insurance
Insurance is necessary to protect your home in case of flood or fire damage. Insurance coverage varies depending on what type of policy you buy. There are many packages and numerous insurance companies available, so make sure to do plenty of research. Compare costs and choose the best one for your situation. One thing to remember is that insurance is an annual cost, so add it to your yearly budget.
Additionally, do not forget title insurance. Title insurance protects you from issues arising from incorrect signatures on documents, forgery, or other title defects that may result in financial loss. Furthermore, if the previous owner had any permit violations, then you will not be held responsible for them.
Moving Day Costs
Expenses incurred on moving day can be some of the highest expenses you pay when moving into a new home. Some people forget to set aside finances for painters, locksmiths, and new kitchen appliance installations. How much are professional movers going to charge? Are you hiring someone to touch-up the driveway, yard, and renovate the landscaping prior to moving-in? These are all things you need to keep in mind when reaching the closing phase on buying your new home.
Buying a new home is an exhilarating experience, and when you reach the closing cost phase, you are narrowing in on moving day. Finding an experienced real estate agent to assist you throughout the entire process will make your transition into a new home much easier. When you find an experienced realtor who is able to provide ample information about your home, the neighborhood, other homes in the area, and local schools, you will be able to focus on the positive thoughts regarding buying your new home and all it entails.

For all those who think the end is nigh, I inclined to say: You’re late. For the Real Estate market ended in 2008. The market as we knew it is dead and gone and is not likely to return. Oh, don’t get me wrong, this country is as stupid as it is bankrupt, so dumb policies will return. Perhaps 15 to 20 years from now, some sort of bubble will occur again. Washington and Wall Street are driven by greed not conscience or actual interest in doing the right thing.
But in the meantime we have foreclosures out the wazoo, banks that do not want to lend (despite their advertisements to the contrary) and a moribund economy that is sinking for all but the top 2% of earners. Things are great for Bill, Warren and the Donald, but for most others the going is getting rougher. Real wages have been declining for 30 years in America. No one seems to care or has even noticed. Few people realize the government now reports “household income” as opposed to average income, like it did back when I was young. Why, because household income covers the real truth, with a fiction. Sure income looks good, in comparison to the past, but it is with two earners, not one. So in reality it is half of what it would be, if still reported the old way.
I am not a Democrat, nor am I liberal. But I am not a fool and see what few others care to look at. In a country more worried about Brittany Spears or some rapper or sports star, we get the shaft from big corporations, banks and government. It was said by someone far wiser than me: People get the government they deserve.
We deserve what we get, because no one cares and no one is watching. If the herd (by that I mean the average idiot) was as concerned with the voting record of their congressman as they are the next Monday night football game, maybe we would have good government. Until then, expect NO real changes in Washington.
I am not a Republican either, so I am not defending either side. Both are despicable, in my mind. The left has lost their mind and the right has lost their common sense. I wish we could have a 3rd party, a middle of the road party. But don’t hold your breath. The Tea party is not middle of the road, they don’t know what they want. They define themselves by what they are against.
Well, enough about politics. People, who know me, know that I never really discuss politics, so this rant is not my norm. (The beauty of a blog, I can spout off all I want). But, back to my real reason for this blog, which is defined as a real estate related blog.
What does this all mean for REAL ESTATE?
Well, for one thing, house prices are not going to rise at anywhere near recent rates seen during the boom. Except is a few select markets, the rise will be very slow if at all, for some time. This is for four reasons.

1. Foreclosures inhibit prices and there are still millions of them that have to be sold for their effect to end.
2. Banks do not want to lend and policies now in place have greatly changed who qualifies in terms of credit rating and income ratios.
3. This is NOT a country of savers and with $4.00 gas, who can save up the down payments now required?
4. Demand is blunted also by the fact that people upside down in their homes have little desire to move up or downsize and take that beating in real (as opposed to paper) dollars.
5. The economy. People who can buy, are afraid to take the plunge.
   Some economists and analysts still say further drops in prices are possible (or even likely) in many markets. This scares potential buyers, with good cause. I personally think further drops are likely in some areas and within any city, in some neighborhoods. Homes are still being foreclosed at high rates and this can only prolong the agony.
   My advice
   So if you want to buy, be careful, look at the market, and particularly, the area. Don’t buy more than you can afford, the market rising will not buy you out at a profit, like it might have 4 years ago.
   Buy a well built home, many pieces of shit were thrown up during the boom years. 80’s houses are the absolute worst.
   Seriously look at the homes energy costs. Cheap electricity and gas rates are going fast. Huge energy hogs with low efficiency furnaces and a/c units, single pane windows and poor insulation are to be avoided. Replacing windows and complete HVAC systems is expensive and the payback is not there yet. Besides old homes can never be really properly insulated unless you are gutting it for a major rehab anyway.
   Look at the long term trend for your city. Is it destined to decline? If so, rent. Better yet move to city that has better long term prospects and rent until you know the area.
   I am from Syracuse, NY originally, where real estate never took off during the boom. In fact it went backwards since the mid 80’s. Why? The city lost jobs and population. You cannot sell in a shrinking market. Homes there sell for 40 percent of their high in the early 80’s. Again, even there some areas held up well and did not decline, but never rose as well as other areas of the country.
   Don’t buy something only because it is cheap. What you do not know will hurt you, as the whole country found out. If you find something that is almost free (relatively speaking) should you buy it? That depends, on the city, the neighborhood, the home itself and your financial situation and life situation. Owning a money pit never helped anyone, so look before you leap. If the home needs repairs and you can do them yourself and have the cash to buy the needed supplies, then go ahead if the area is ok.
   I have seen many homes that are now valueless here in Atlanta. Foreclosures that copper thieves have damaged so bad the cost of repair exceeds the value of the home if repaired. The average price is less than 10 grand here in 3 different zip codes here, according to recent newspaper story. You might have to sleep with a 12 gauge under the sheets, but they are out there.
   Is the price right? Not for me, but maybe you like life on the edge! As a home inspector, I am not supposed to influence your decision just report facts.
   That is what I do and have been doing for some time. Never buy a home without a good inspection by an inspector who has not performed at least 400 inspections. I have inspected over 3000 homes and I can tell you that it took that many for the learning curve to start leveling off. Even now I still occasionally see something weird that I have never seen before. I love this because I get to learn something new. But I also would have missed some things if I did not have the vast experience of seeing so many screwed up things. Defects do not always jump out and shake your hand, and crooked sellers are still out there, artfully hiding them, more than ever.
   People forced to sell at a loss have often foregone routine maintenance and have hidden defects that they are hoping your inspector will miss. And about 40% of them will. I once found over $40,000 (my estimate) in hidden damage on a stucco home. The seller was a crooked realtor. The eventual buyer paid over $62,000 for repairs. I know because the later buyer (I advised mine to walk) hired me to testify against his dumb inspector.
   Ironically, I get calls all the time from buyers looking for a cheap inspector. Some fools just never learn.
   I am a middle of the road inspector in terms of my fees, not even near the most expensive here in Atlanta. The highest priced ones are often not as good as I am, but like all endeavors in American business, he who advertises the most often gets a reputation that belies the truth.
   Lastly, about inspectors; don’t assume an engineer is a better inspector than one who isn’t. I know several and have gone with them and seen them in the field. The old saying; “Can’t see the forest for the trees” comes to mind.
   Until the next one…

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