Tag Archives: Buyers

Common Mistakes of First Time Home Buyers

July 01, 2024   Matt

Common Mistakes of First Time Home Buyers

Buying your first home is exciting. No more rental payments to a landlord making money for someone else. Instead, you are purchasing your own home and investing in yourself. Money paid to your home mortgage is really investing in your future. It is no wonder that first time home buyers are so excited, sometimes so excited that they make mistakes. There are a few common mistakes of first time home buyers, which with some knowledge and direction can be avoided.

First of all, it is always good to research the housing market and see what is out there. Yes, the very first house you look at may look like its perfect, but there are others out there for sale too. Be sure to at least look at a few before deciding on the one you want to buy.

Watch the cost of the home, do not be swayed into thinking that you can not barter down the cost of the house, you probably can.

Insist on a home inspection by a qualified inspector. There are plenty of people who will provide you with a home warranty when you buy their house and try to sway you from having the house inspected.

Having a home warranty is important and many first time home buyers just don’t know that they should or could get one when they are buying an older home. Home warranties are not a new product; they’ve been around for many years, but many people think that they are for new homes only, not realizing that they can be purchased for older homes as well.

A home warranty makes great sense when you are purchasing an older home – you just don’t know the house very well until you’ve lived in it. A home warranty protects first time home buyers from major expenses for repairs and replacements that could come up.
A first time home buyer can make a major mistake if he or she does not understand that if something goes wrong, they are fully responsible to fix it. There is no landlord to call and the costs are all theirs to bear. This is one of the major reasons it is so important to invest in a home warranty when you purchase an older home. If any major repairs need to happen, most often the home warranty will cover the costs, making owning a home much more feasible.

When looking for a home warranty, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what you are looking for. When you talk to an agent, there are many questions that you need to ask to be sure you know what level of warranty you are getting. Questions to ask include:

  • What is covered with the home warranty? Most often the electrical system, plumbing system, heating system, cooling system/air conditioning, and major appliances that are covered under the warranty.
  • What is excluded from coverage with the home warranty? Most often this includes outdoor water, including the sprinkler system, faucet repairs, hot tubs, pools, spas and costs of hauling away debris and old appliances.
  • What are the rates/premiums? How much will you have to pay for the home warranty?
  • What is the deductible on the home warranty? The deductible is how much you will have to pay when you make a claim. Most often the deductible is , this amount will be deducted from the overall cost of the reparations paid by the warranty company.
  • How long is the warranty active for? Most often home warranties are offered in one year terms.
  • Is the warranty renewable at the end of the term? If you’ve purchased it yourself as the buyer, it is likely renewable. However, if the seller purchased the home warranty, it will not be renewable.
  • What are the terms of the warranty? When will the warranty be void? Most often if you’ve misused the item, or if it is not up to code or not installed properly, your warranty will be void and will not cover any reparations.
  • How are claims handled?
  • How do I make a claim?

With the above information, first time home buyers can avoid some of the serious mistakes that are usually made, and then go through with their home purchase knowledgeable and safe from the fall out of a potentially serious mistake. Mistakes such as the ones listed above can land a first time home owner in serious debt paying for repairs they were not prepared for financially. Owning a home of your own is very exciting, especially a first home, but make sure you go into it with your eyes open, your finances secure and a plan for the future should a problem rise with one of the major components of the home.

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Tips for First Time Home Buyers

December 29, 2023   Matt

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Buying a home for the first time is very exciting – no more renting, you are now paying and investing in yourself by paying your mortgage. However, through all the excitement of a mortgage and buying a new home, it’s easy to get carried away and to forget some important things you should be looking for. It would be awful if your first home buying experience turned out badly and you bought a house that was a money pit because you didn’t take a few moments to look at all the aspects.

One of the key things first time home buyers should do is look into home warranties. A home warranty works similarly to warranties that you have on your vehicle or your appliances. You wouldn’t buy a new car or an appliance without a warranty, so why would you make the biggest purchase of your life and not get a warranty? Home warranties cover a variety of major repairs that may happen after you purchase the house. Home warranties are available for both new homes and older homes.

Either the buyer or seller can purchase a home warranty. If the seller has purchased the home warranty, it’s because they are trying to secure their pricing on the home and sell their home faster. As a buyer, you would purchase a home warranty as a safe guard against any major reparations that need to be done to the home that you couldn’t see, or tell, when you purchased the house.

Regardless of who purchased the home warranty, it is important to look at the coverage that is offered by the company. Coverage varies from company to company and state to state. When you talk to a home warranty agent, or look at the sellers’ policy, be sure to ask what is and is not covered on your home warranty specifically.

Most home warranties will cover:

  • Air conditioning system
  • Built in dishwasher
  • Built in microwave
  • Built in trash compactor
  • Ceiling fans
  • Central heating unit
  • Duct work
  • Electrical systems
  • Garbage disposal unit
  • Plumbing systems
  • Refrigerator
  • The oven or range
  • Washer and dryer
  • Water heater

Most of everything else is not covered. This includes:

  • Outdoor sprinkler systems
  • Outdoor water systems
  • Faucet repairs (unless otherwise stated in the policy)
  • Spas (you can request/add this coverage in some cases)
  • Pools (you can request/add this coverage in some cases)
  • Hot tubs (you can request/add this coverage in some cases)
  • Permit fees
  • Hauling away debris
  • Hauling away old appliances

It’s also important to find out when a request would be denied. There are plenty of reasons why a home warranty would be considered void, including:

  • Improper maintenance
  • Improper installation
  • Code violations
  • Unusual wear and tear

It is a good idea, when you buy your first home, that you have an inspection done on the house to ensure that it is properly up to the building codes and that there are no code violations and that the major systems and appliances in the house are properly installed and that they’ve been properly maintained.

Buying a home can be so exciting that you may jump at the first house that meets your needs and your budget – many people have been there. It’s always a good idea to take a step back from the situation and really look at the house – is this where you want to live for at least the next three to five years? Is it what you hoped it would be? Are there other homes that you are considering?

In some cases, having a home warranty can make or break the decision to purchase your first home. Most often, first time home buyers aren’t entirely up on what they are taking on – there’s no landlord to call if the pipes burst – that’s for you to handle. No heat? No hot water? You have to pay to replace and fix those items. These items cost up to thousands of dollars – do you have the money to fix and replace these major items, such as the electrical system, major appliance, hot water heater or furnace if they should stop working? This is why it’s always a good idea, especially for first time home buyers, to purchase a home warranty to protect them from the sometimes incredible expense that is associated with owning your own home. When you look for a home warranty, be sure to ask lots of questions and get a few quotes so you can compare the coverage on the home warranties and the rates that you will be charged.

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Buyers Guide

June 13, 2021   Matt

Buyers Guide

Deep cleaning vacuums
The typical features with these types of vacuums
include rotating brushes that agitate the carpet
pile and loosen the dirt for better clean. There
are some models that offer a handy automatic tool
conversion button or switch that you can push or
flip as you move from carpet to hardwood floor.

Hand held vacuums
Hand held vacuums are light weight, can be corded
or cordless, and you can even mount most of them
on the wall if you prefer. The performance of the
cordless models will depend on the charge of the
battery, as the battery power drops, so will the
suction power.

The two types of hand held vacuums include straight
suction and suction with a power brush. If you
are considering a hand held vacuum cleaner, you
should consider its primary purpose, if you plan
to use it on a regular basis or occasionally on
smaller jobs.

Broom vacuums
Stick or broom vacuums are great for smaller type
apartments, quick clean ups in the kitchen, or
a family room. The benefit of a broom vacuum is
the light weight. If you have trouble pushing
your heavier upright around, the broom vacuum
may come as a relief. You’ll also have the option
of getting your vacuum corded or cordless.

They usually weight 2 – 7 lbs. and allow you to
easily store them in the closet, as they take up a
minimum amount of space. For quick disposal of
the dirt and debris, most models are also bagless
as well.

Wet or Dry vacuums
The wet/dry vacuum combination may very well be the
most versatile vacuum cleaner on the market today,
with numerous attachments and functions it is a
very handy machine to have around your home. The
canister types can vary from the smaller 6 gallon
sizes to the larger 22 gallon sizes.

The HP ranges as well, from 2 to 10 HP. You should
always try to match the size of the unit to the
size of the job and frequency of use.

Upright vacuums
One of the most popular features of an upright
vacuum cleaner is the bagless system. In addition
to the increased performance, there is no need
to purchase any bags. Emptying the canister can
be a little dusty, although it’s still better than
messing with bags.

Most upright models come with a standard set of
attachments that may even include an upholstery
tool, a crevice tool, and even an extension wand.
A retractable cord and manual or automatic pile
adjustments are other common features. A HEPA
filter is another common and popular feature found
with most upright vacuums.

Canister vacuums
Canister vacuum cleaners normally include retractable
cords. Considering the fact that most cords are
around 25 foot in length, this feature will prevent
you from having to drag the cord around and
possibly damage furniture. A push of a button or
a slight tug on the cord will retract it into the
canister of the vacuum.

The nozzle can be one of two types, nozzle or
power nozzle. To get your carpet as clean as
possible, it is recommended that you use the power
nozzle, which will agitate the carpet and loosen
up the dirt for deeper cleaning.

Another feature worth looking for is a suction
control switch, as this allows you to adjust the
flow of air for cleaning delicate material such
as upholstery and drapery.

When choosing your vacuum cleaner, you should always
choose the one you like best. The best vacuum for
the job is the one you should choose, as things
will work out much better that way.

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Information To Compile For Potential Buyers Of Your Home

May 24, 2021   Matt

Information To Compile For Potential Buyers Of Your Home

If you own a house, there will come a time when you may have to sell. Selling your house is a complex transaction. However, it is not a difficult process, if you are prepared for what is involved. Here are some things that you should keep in mind if you are thinking about selling your house.

Planting trees is an investment in your homes future. Trees that provide shade are always a great choice for both beauty and for efficiency. A shade providing plant can cut your home’s cooling costs by up to 40 percent when it is fully grown. Trees also provide attractive curb appeal for prospective buyers.

When selling your home, try to make sure that the price that you chose is set fairly. Avoid overpricing your home. When you overprice your house, it will turn off potential buys before they will even make an offer. A lot of times, a home will mean more to you than it is actually worth so avoid letting your feelings be displayed in your asking price.

As a seller, before showing your home to anyone, be sure to have it professionally cleaned. Cleaning the home yourself is an option, but you want to put your best foot forward so that any prospective buyer can imagine his or her family in the home. A professional cleaner will give your house a deep cleaning, without damaging anything. This will let you focus on other aspects of the sale.

Make sure that there is no visible mold in the bathroom areas of your property. Bathrooms tend to accumulate humidity so there is always a chance that mildew will collect on the walls. Clean the area very well and apply paint if you need to so that potential buyers are not scared away.

If you have a home with property attached to it, consider adding a shop or work space. This addition can give your home an increased market value, as well as, a big buying perk for selling, later on down the road. Properties with extra spaces added on, tend to get much more interest and views, than those without.

In a buyers market, have your home pre-inspected before starting to sell. Many buyers will completely disregard a house that hasn’t been inspected recently. Investing time and energy into a house, only to find problems before closing, is a big turn off to buyers and most prefer to avoid that headache entirely.

Before putting your home on the market, ask a trusted friend to walk through as if they were a buyer. Have them look at everything, and point out every flaw to you. You might be able to fix some of these flaws before the real potential buyer comes through. This can be a great way to get staging ideas and a home improvement check list too.

So the process of selling a house requires a lot of planning. As you have read, there are many variables to consider. If you have decided to sell your house, it is never too early to start planning. By giving yourself ample time to prepare, you will be ready to sell when the time comes.

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A Buyer’s Overview To Finding The Perfect Shed

June 03, 2019   Matt

A Purchaser’s Guide To Searching for The Perfect Shed

Think of all your exterior mess compiled right into one arranged space. Storage sheds will certainly offer you that extra room, as well as at the very same time allow you to begin parking your automobiles in the garage once more. The typical suggestion when you consider a shed is a dull box-like structure, which rests in your backyard and never fits it’s surroundings. Many thanks to the modern-day times, sheds have reconditioned themselves into an extra trendy and also appealing appearance. Sheds are now made with several types of product such as, cedar, vinyl, laminated polyethylene covers and also they even can be made to look like little homes. Utilize your sheds for any function; arranging your grass devices, being a poolside cabana, shielding cars or watercrafts or perhaps a hidden retreat in the backyard. If I have not persuaded you already, here are some wonderful suggestions to understand, when trying to find that “ideal” shed.

First, take a long consider your yard and also try to envision what type of style your shed ought to be. Also, think about the dimension too, because that will certainly play a significant component in your choice. Today, drops been available in various designs from barn look-a-likes to country homes. Bear in mind it is all concerning the information, so discover what sort of alternatives are around for add-on accessories. Shutters, flower boxes, racks, practical windows, lofts, and double doors are just a few additions you can think of to customize your shed. Along with detail, one more point would certainly be to find out the objective for the shed. Locating out the feature before you begin looking, will help you remove most of the sales concerns as well as get you in the classification of sheds where you need to be. For circumstances, if you wanted a shed for your lawn devices, you would possibly be taking a look at sheds with double doors, racks, and possibly a few useful home windows for ventilation purposes. Entirely design, alternatives as well as also function should be acknowledged when acquiring a shed.

As soon as the over all style has actually been picked, you should explore the materials that are being utilized. Modern technology has actually permitted us to utilize various kinds of products to develop long lasting sheds. Nevertheless, cedar is one of the most prominent, because it is recognized for its cozy wood qualities, appeal, durability as well as superior weather condition resistance. Plastic is another excellent selection and it is climate as well as corrosion evidence, fire immune, and does not fade. If you need to store huge things like electric motor residences or watercrafts, laminated polyethylene covers are wonderful source for defense from the outside aspects. Always ensure that wood sheds are assessed, so it can lessen the timber wear and tear along the base.

It is very easy to love a shed that is currently assembled at the store, yet the real examination is when you bring it residence. Assembly is the factor that will make or damage a sale; so ensure you inquire about exactly how to construct the shed initially. The best choice is to find a shed that is built by panels and also makes use of basic equipment. By making use of the panels, there is no hazardous, inefficient, or time consuming cutting needed. Windows are already connected to the wall and also the shingles are affixed to the roofing system panels making it a stress cost-free process.

This is simply a straightforward guide to help you start browsing for the shed you have been waiting on. By outlining the basics in design, function, products and setting up, you must be able to develop a suggestion of what you may desire in a shed. Think of it by doing this, a shed can help arrange, organization minimizes the work, less job amounts to much more enjoyable.

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