You saw a picture pretty home being sold online and you definitely want it. Should you buy it outright? Definitely you won’t. You’ll have to take a good and long hard look into it before you sign the dotted line and live in that house forever. That’s right. People are getting smarter when buying homes after the mortgage and real estate industry tripped.

If this is your first time to shop for a home, don’t go into the deal unprepared. Apart from the paperwork, it is important too to take a look into that house up for sale; it’s just right because after all you are going to live in it and live with a mortgage. You look at the house and ask how much it will cost you before you can apply for a mortgage.

Consider the neighborhood. Are the other homes well kept? Look into crime statics for the area. Keep in mind that homes in upscale neighborhoods come with upscale price tags. Make sure the house is in good repair, or that the seller will do necessary repairs before the sale. Make sure you lender will provide a mortgage.

If it needs repairs, check out the extent of repairs needed and how much it will cost. Armed with the information you can always ask for a lower price or if the cost of the repairs is beyond your present budget for your mortgage, skip it. As for the repaired houses, always check the basement. A damp basement will show water stains on the floor and walls and give off a musty smell. Molds might be lurking on the walls and ceilings and will need professional help to remove safely.

Many homes are sold with the kitchen appliances. Look at the appliances. How old are they? Are they energy efficient? Will you have to replace some or all of them in the near future? Look at the countertops and cabinets. Do they need repairs or replacement? Does the house have city water or well water? How old is the well and the well pump? Look under the sink for leaks. Is the house city sewage or septic? How old is the septic system?

The bathroom is another expensive remodeling job. Are the tub/shower, the sink and the toilet in good condition? Is there any evidence of leaks? Any cracks? Are the cabinets in good shape? Do you see any sign of mold or mildew? Mold and mildew can be indicators of more serious problems. Are the floors buckled? That can indicate a plumbing problem.

Visit the attic should to check it for water stains and the durability of the structure. Does the attic have ventilation and insulation? After you have done the rounds of the interiors, check out the exterior. Are the doors and windows secured? How many entrances are there? Does the house have a fire escape?

After the interiors and the exteriors, check out the neighborhood. Do some research about the crime rate in the area. Is your house vulnerable to break-ins? Is the next neighbor a mile away? Are the houses crammed into a little neighborhood? After visiting the house on a nice sunny day, visit it on a rainy day to see how it fares. If there’s no problem, then make a deal according to the mortgage you can afford.

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