What To Watch Out For When Buying A Home

What To Watch Out For When Buying A Home

What To Watch Out For When Buying A Home

INTRO

If you are thinking of buying a home there are many things you need to look for. With your home being one of the biggest if not the biggest investment you’ll make, it’s important to watch out for these items.

REPORT

There are many things to consider when you are purchasing besides the obvious, how many bedrooms, is the kitchen large enough, etc. This report will go over some off the less obvious things. This way you can be even more confident when you do purchase your home you’ve covered all your angles.

Location– You might be in love with the look of house, or the size of the bedrooms, but don’t forget about the surroundings. Take a look at the area, are you close to schools, are you close to work, is there a lot of noise or traffic? All these are very important factors, where you can remodel a bedroom, you can’t change your neighbor so easily. Even if the house seems like a dream home, do your research on the area and make sure it matches up to home.

Situation Factors– Beyond look at just the home itself and the location, look a little closer. Check out the lot, is it on a hill, do the neighbors windows look right into your house? Is the yard enough for your needs? You might have elderly family members visiting often and there a few steps to your front door which would make it hard for them to enter. These little things can add up so pay attention to small details.

Check Out The Neighborhood– Beyond just looking at where school, your work or shopping are from your home, check out the neighborhood for yourself. Drive around both on both the weekend and weekdays. Check out the other homes in the neighborhood, are they are in good condition, does it seem that the owners care about their homes? Is it safe for kids to play? Just like with the location, once you move in you can’t change your neighborhood.

Size And Floor Plan– There might something about a home you are looking at that you’ve fallen in love with, but ask yourself are some of these things impractical? Make sure the size what you need. If it’s too big for your needs, remember you will have to pay higher power bills and property taxes. Or if you really like to entertain it has enough room to accommodate all your guests.

Rooms– Before you even start look at homes make a plan of exactly what you are looking in terms of the rooms in your home. For example with bedrooms, figure out exactly how many you’d need, there is no sense in checking out a home that has less then you need, but it might have something else that you really like. All it will do is cloud your judgment. Same thing goes for the kitchen, in many homes the kitchen is the center of the home, make sure it has the size and shape you need. Don’t worry about the appliances they are a lot easier and cheaper to replace then to completely remodel a kitchen.

Finishing Touches– These items are the most over looked when someone is buying a home. They might seem small like moldings, roofs, or a fireplace. A roof for example is something people don’t think about, but is very important. A leaky roof can cause of damage and be very expensive to replace.

If you have any questions about what to look for, or would like to be referred to some of the best real estate agents in your area just contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

John Meussner | MLO NMLS 138061

Licensed by The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS# 1141
MasonMac Corporate

Mason-McDuffie Mortgage

Office: (949) 247-7530

12647 Alcosta Blvd
Suite 300
San Ramon, CA 94583

Licensing:

Not a commitment to lend. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Act No. 4130968; AL #22653; AR #32700; AZ #1015403; Colorado regulated by the Division of Real Estate; DE #019623; FL #MLD819; Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #20924; ID #MBL-5861; Kansas Licensed Mortgage Company #MC.0025601; KY: #MC701698; MD: #16927; Mississippi Licensed Mortgage Company Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance;Licensed by the Minnesota DOC #MN-MO-1141; Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance; NC: L-152867; NV: #3681; OK: #ML012358; Licensed by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation #ML-3808; PA: #37008; TN: #112513; Licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission #MC-5579, WV: #ML-31523/MB31759. NMLS #1141. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org 

CONSUMERS WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MORTGAGE BANKER OR A LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR SHOULD COMPLETE AND SEND A COMPLAINT FORM TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. COMPLAINT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV. A TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE AT 1-877-276-5550.
THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY BORROWERS CAUSED BY ACTS OF LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS. A WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE RECOVERY FUND MUST BE FILED WITH AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY FUND, PLEASE CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.SML.TEXAS.GOV.