Buying that dream home can be incredibly rewarding. However, if you don't go into it educated and knowledgeable, you might just find that your experience is less than stellar. What should you know about buying residential real estate? Here are four of the most important tips any would-be homeowner should know prior to buying any home (or even starting the search for a home).
Get Your Insurance First
Most homeowners know that having home insurance is a requirement. However, few understand that insurance coverage needs to be in place before you can get a loan from most lenders. While you won't need insurance prior to starting a house hunt, you will need to have a policy in place before you can finalize the purchase. That means you need to find a good insurance company with which to place your policy before you begin your home search. Having this information beforehand will help fast track the process of buying a home.
Heating And Cooling System
Having a good HVAC system is imperative - your comfort and even the health of your bank account depend on it. However, many homeowners don't know enough about the heating and air system in the homes they want to purchase to make sure that it's in good condition, and that it won't cause exorbitant energy bills. Have the HVAC system professionally inspected (as part of your home inspection) prior to finalizing your purchase. Doing otherwise can cost you an immense amount of money in repairs and replacement costs.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an incredibly important consideration and one that covers a wide range of areas. The energy efficiency of any home relies on the level of insulation, the efficiency of the home's windows and even the type of exterior siding on the home in question. Make sure that the R-value of the home's insulation is satisfactory, that the windows are highly efficient and that the exterior siding adds insulation to the home as well. It's imperative when buying residential real estate that you work with a home inspector who will check all of these areas and give you accurate, immediate feedback.
Use A Home Inspector
A home inspection is more than just a good idea - it's an essential part of ensuring that the home you want to buy is in good condition and that there are not hidden costs lurking to strike when you least expect it. Of course, not all home inspectors are worth your time, and it can be very difficult for a home buyer to tell if one inspector is better than another. Your real estate agent should be able to give you information on the top area inspectors. Chances are good that he or she has a preferred inspector they use for most of their sales, and listening to your real estate agent's advice is a very wise decision.