Best house inspection articles


A House Buying Checklist

A house buying checklist will keep you fromDoes it feel good when you walk through it?
forgetting something important, and help makeDo you like the neighborhood? What problems
the whole process a little less chaotic. Itdoes it have? A photo or written description
is perhaps best to put together your own listwill help you remember the home after looking
according to your own needs. Here are some ofat others. Carry and use a home inspection
the  items  you  will  want  to  include.checklist, so you can take notes to pass
along  to  a  professional  home  inspector.
___ Prepare to buy a house. Figure out the
monthly payment you can afford, but also how___ The decision. It may be best to look at
much you want to afford, if you have othersix or more homes before writing an offer.
major goals. Take a look at your creditDoes this home have what you need? How does
report. Take actions to improve your creditit compare to others you have seen? What is
score. List what you want or need in a home,the appraised value, or at least the value
prioritizing each item it in case you can'tindicated by the tax assessor. Why is the
get  everything.seller selling? Have there been other offers,
and  what happened with them (ask the agent)?
___ Narrow the search to an area you like.
Consider what you need to be comfortable. You___ The offer. Don't reveal your thoughts on
can use online resources to investigatepossible negotiations to the agent. Make out
towns, and to check on crime rates. You canyour earnest money check to an escrow agent,
also read various local newspapers online toor the real estate broker if they have an
get a "feel" for a town. If you already knowescrow account. Specify what stays with the
the town you'll be moving to, start drivinghome, and who will pay for each closing cost.
around  to  see which neighborhoods you like.Have contingencies in the offer for any
necessary  inspections.
___ Get preapproved for a mortgage loan.
Gather pay stubs, recent bank statements, tax___ Closing the purchase. Get inspections
returns, w-2 forms, and proof of otherdone as soon as you can after the offer is
income. Visit several lenders. Have a list ofaccepted. Watch the deadlines for any other
questions about your loan options, and takecontingencies in the offer. Make sure you
notes. Get copies of any pre-approvalhave a written loan commitment from a lender.
letters. You can submit these with yourSet a closing date. Buy insurance for the
offers, so the seller knows you are able tohouse. Get a copy of the closing statement
follow  through.before closing. Have a cashiers check ready
for  the  closing.
___ Start shopping for a house. Look at
online listings, in newspapers, and in real___ Moving. When the closing date is certain,
estate guides. Locate a real estate agenttransfer utilities to your name. Change your
that's active in the neighborhoods you like,address at the post office. Pack. Hire a
and one who sells the types of houses you'remover or arrange for a u-haul. Transfer your
looking for. You may want to consider using aprescriptions if you are moving out of town.
buyer's agent. Be very clear about whatRegister  the  kids  in  their  new  schools.
you're looking for. If an agent repeatedly
shows you homes that don't fit your criteria,___ A final item on your house buying
find  a  new  agent  to  help  you.checklist: check out everything thoroughly
when you arrive at your new home. Generally
___ Go see those homes. Have a good list of(and specifically in most contracts) it
questions as part of your house buyingshould be in the same or better condition as
checklist. Does the house have what you need?the day you made your offer.



1 A B C D 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106