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Tips / Lessons learned when buying a house
Posted on 2/16/20 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 2/16/20 at 1:48 pm
We are moving to Dallas in May and will be buying our first home. What are some tips / lessons learned from your home purchase?
Things we are already doing:
- Independent home inspector (not from realtor) ASHI certified
- Sewer line scoped
- During the inspection, focus on foundation, floor plan, roof, plumbing, major appliances, siding, electrical
Things we are already doing:
- Independent home inspector (not from realtor) ASHI certified
- Sewer line scoped
- During the inspection, focus on foundation, floor plan, roof, plumbing, major appliances, siding, electrical
18
Posted on 2/16/20 at 1:57 pm to Azazello
Buyers use the typical “inspection report” to continue negotiations to the already agreed upon preinspection price. Even small things like gutters that need cleaning are used as leverage to continue negotiating. Its a cant lose situation for the buyer; if the seller gors for it great, if not the deal contjnues on.
Have yet to find a realtor who was more than a doorman.
Have yet to find a realtor who was more than a doorman.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 4:12 pm to Azazello
When inevitably you find issues during the inspection do not have the current owner remedy the problems. They will use the most cheap labor and materials possible to check the block.
Repair everything yourself and use estimates to negotiate closing credits and/or lower the offer price.
Repair everything yourself and use estimates to negotiate closing credits and/or lower the offer price.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 4:54 pm to OleWarSkuleAlum
Nice, I wouldn’t have thought to do that.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 5:10 pm to Azazello
Don’t buy in the summer baw buy now if you can
Posted on 2/16/20 at 5:41 pm to Azazello
Drive by the property at night, and during/after a heavy rain. Some inherent faults (neighbors, drainage, noise) won’t be apparent during typical open house hours.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 5:43 pm to Azazello
If the property has a detached garage or workshop make sure your inspector includes this in their report.
Go with the inspector everywhere and open all doors, move things around that look as if they are hiding something.
Make sure they have termite prevention and pest prevention in place.
Pass by at different hours of the day and night to see the neighborhood and if the people are going to work or hanging out partying all night.
See if the local county sheriff's office has crime stats of the area.
Get an insurance quote beforehand.
Go when it rains to see if the yard has drainage issues.
Don't be afraid to walk away.
Go with the inspector everywhere and open all doors, move things around that look as if they are hiding something.
Make sure they have termite prevention and pest prevention in place.
Pass by at different hours of the day and night to see the neighborhood and if the people are going to work or hanging out partying all night.
See if the local county sheriff's office has crime stats of the area.
Get an insurance quote beforehand.
Go when it rains to see if the yard has drainage issues.
Don't be afraid to walk away.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 6:55 pm to Cracker
quote:
Don’t buy in the summer baw buy now if you can
House hunting as well speak
quote:
hungryone and Aristo
Great stuff
Posted on 2/16/20 at 7:30 pm to Azazello
I’m assuming no kids now? Consider kids in the future. Many people say to underbuy, but your first house honestly should be more then you currently need as you grow a lot in your 20s and early 30s.
Maintenance and shite, don’t worry. Have a good inspection and be smart. shite happens.
Also, if you are moving to a new city no way in hell I’d buy for at least a year. Learn the city and your options first.
Maintenance and shite, don’t worry. Have a good inspection and be smart. shite happens.
Also, if you are moving to a new city no way in hell I’d buy for at least a year. Learn the city and your options first.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 7:42 pm to Azazello
Just a fair warning, the stuff that will bite you in the arse, near or long-term, are things neither you nor most home inspectors will catch.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 7:51 pm to Clames
Makes sense. What are some examples of things that I should look for?
Posted on 2/16/20 at 8:04 pm to Azazello
If you enjoy grilling or spending time outside, don't buy a house where the back yard faces west. I'll never, ever, ever do that again.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 8:45 pm to Azazello
Fill the tubs and sinks with water and see how well/not well they drain.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 6:20 am to OleWarSkuleAlum
quote:
do not have the current owner remedy the problems. They will use the most cheap labor and materials possible to check the block.
Repair everything yourself and use estimates to negotiate closing credits and/or lower the offer price.
This is solid advice.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 9:34 am to hungryone
Oops, hit submit too soon...
This is good advice. Probably won't see how it is graded and how it drains during an average inspection. If the house is in South LA and the yard isn't totally flooded right now with the rains we've had, then you're in good shape
I'll add:
Pay attention to the landscaping. Your inspection won't look at that. Bought my first house and had no idea what the consequences were of buying a house that had little to no TLC for years in the yard. Maintaining an already well manicured yard is WAYYY easier than trying to fix a shitty yard. A couple trees can be a plus for shade on your house, but too many = work. You'll be picking up tree limbs and raking leaves all winter. Is the yard mostly grass, or mostly weeds?
Also, if you have dogs that might spend time outside, check the condition of any existing fences before Fido discovers those weaknesses himself
quote:
Drive by the property at night, and during/after a heavy rain.
This is good advice. Probably won't see how it is graded and how it drains during an average inspection. If the house is in South LA and the yard isn't totally flooded right now with the rains we've had, then you're in good shape
I'll add:
Pay attention to the landscaping. Your inspection won't look at that. Bought my first house and had no idea what the consequences were of buying a house that had little to no TLC for years in the yard. Maintaining an already well manicured yard is WAYYY easier than trying to fix a shitty yard. A couple trees can be a plus for shade on your house, but too many = work. You'll be picking up tree limbs and raking leaves all winter. Is the yard mostly grass, or mostly weeds?
Also, if you have dogs that might spend time outside, check the condition of any existing fences before Fido discovers those weaknesses himself
This post was edited on 2/17/20 at 9:41 am
Posted on 2/17/20 at 9:48 am to Jj283
quote:
Fill the tubs and sinks with water and see how well/not well they drain.
A good inspector will do this during the inspection.
OP, keep in mind that the inspector is not allowed to move things or dig for things, so the advice above of following him and opening doors, moving dressers, etc.. that's the only way the inspector will be able to inspect those areas. Follow him and ask him where he's going next, then go to that room and move things. When he's done with that room, put it back unless something is found.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 10:23 am to Azazello
quote:
We are moving to Dallas in May and will be buying our first home.
Foundation, foundation, foundation in the Dallas area. Make sure the inspection is done right and you know what you're getting into.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 10:28 am to Azazello
Cracks in the sealant around exterior door and window trim, damage caused by improperly soldered copper plumbing joints, used up sacrificial annodes in tank water heaters, failing wax ring seals between toilet and closet flanges, 2-piece closet flanges, gaps in insulation, moisture damage/mold behind shower/tub surrounds or tiling, intermittent electrical problems, so many things that simple visual inspections can't pick up.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 10:56 am to Azazello
Home Inspectors are worthless when it comes to inspecting HVAC
Get a good HVAC professional out to inspect the system.
Get a good HVAC professional out to inspect the system.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 11:52 am to Azazello
I second the notion to drive by during/after a heavy rain if possible. If there's a pool involved have a pool company inspect and not part of the regular inspection.
If part of a neighborhood, go outside and spend some time in the back yard talking making some noise and see if the neighbors have a bunch of yapping dogs.
If part of a neighborhood, go outside and spend some time in the back yard talking making some noise and see if the neighbors have a bunch of yapping dogs.
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