3 Biggest Mistakes in Home Purchases
Whether your dream home is newly constructed or a 200-year-old fixer-upper, you have visions of your family relaxing and enjoying a home you are all excited about moving into.
Too many times, though, “dream homes” aren’t quite as perfect as they first appeared to be. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to avoid problems.
Mistake #1: Hiring only a home inspector.
Tip: It also can be a good idea to hire a specialist in roofing, a/c, electricity, or any other area that might require irritating and/or costly repairs. This minimal extra expense up front can save you a bundle over the long run.
Mistake #2: Not asking for an extended home warranty.
Tip: If you ask, sellers often will spring for a warranty, and if they won’t, one of the agents might if they think it will close the sale.
Mistake #3: Doing a walk-through before the previous owners have completely vacated the dwelling.
Tip: Do your walkthrough when the house is completely empty…and don’t forget to look the yard over, too. You’d be surprised how many times area rugs cover up serious damage to hardwoods…and how often people dig up favorite plants to take with them!
Protect yourself against future problems so you can really enjoy your new dream home. You don’t want to spend all of your time and money fixing problems – or adjusting to disappointments – that could have been handled before you moved in.
Do you have any lessons learned when you purchased your home?
Ask lots of questions, like when was the last time the central air unit was serviced, how long ago was the roof replaced, etc. We didn’t when we purchased our home and it has been a huge learning experience.