When buying a home…most likely the biggest financial decision of your life-the fear of the unknown about this huge investment can be overwhelming.
There is a lot as the buyer that you just can’t control. However, we can’t stress enough the importance of having a real estate agent like Karen Salter that knows exactly what she is doing, and will advocate for you like they she is buying the property for herself.
There are some really good questions that your agent should be asking. And of course, there are some things that will be revealed with a solid inspection, but it doesn’t hurt for you to be armed with some obvious and not so obvious questions yourself.
Have There Ever Been Water Problems?
Water itself is not the issue… but the mold that can surface and the expense to remediate are. Homes have walls and crawl spaces and exterior faucets that are not apparent to the naked eye. Unfortunately busted pipes, exterior faucets and washing machine hoses can wreak havoc by creating water which can create mold. Again, a good inspector should be able to identify old problems, and sellers should disclose any issues.
Moving forward remember to protect exposed pipes in unheated areas with pipe insulation. Frost proof spigots are also a great idea for exterior faucets.
How Old is the Roof?
Roofs are very expensive to replace. Having a full understanding of the condition and the age of the roof is important. Make sure you get an actual trained roofing professional https://karensalterrealtor.com/resources/sources/ to assess your roof. Bonus for you if the roof is relatively new. If not, plan for replacing it as it is a big ticket item. Also have an understanding of the type of roof you have, or may ultimately want. Certain homes have very prominent roofs and adding Architectural shingles can add a high end aesthetic look to your home.
Knowing the approximate age will give you a good idea of how soon you’ll face — and need to budget for — repairs or replacement. A new roof is no small matter:
The “Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® pegs the median price around $8000.
Squirrels, Termites, Carpenter Ants, Oh My!
In North Atlanta, the conventional wisdom is not IF you will have termites, but WHEN. An inspection is required when selling your home, but year round coverage is not. Most homeowners pay for year round coverage to avoid extensive damage. Ask what if any service contracts are on the house and how long. This is likely an indicator that the seller has taken really good care of the home.
Truth is Atlanta and the North Atlanta suburbs are crawling with insects and squirrels. Squirrel infestations in attics are commonplace, and several wildlife/critter companies exist to combat the problems. A lot of homeowners have ongoing maintenance contracts in place after entry points get shored up because once these guys get in, they can be really hard to evict.
Check back in Karen’s next blog to find out the rest of the basic questions you will want to ask before buying a home! In the meantime, contact Karen for any and all of your real estate questions.
