After seeing many homes for sale, you may be torn between a few places. Even when you and your family are excited about a particular new house, you should wait to make an offer. Before taking that step, it is a good idea to meet with the following three professionals.
A Home Inspector
When you purchase a car, you'll often have a mechanic look at it first to see what's in good shape and what might need repairs. A home purchase is no different; you're should call in a house inspector. The inspector will examine the integrity of the roof, the insulation in the attic, and many other components inside the house to help you learn more about what expenses you might find yourself responsible for once you buy the property. The information you get from the inspector might give you more bargaining power when trying to negotiate a sale. For instance, if you'll need to buy a new boiler before winter starts, the seller may be willing to knock down their selling price.
A Surveyor
If you have any interest in building additional structures such as a detached garage or a fence, you'll need to be very sure about the property boundaries. While the current owner may be honest with you about their own knowledge, it's possible that the property lines have become fuzzy over the years. They might think that their fence surrounds the land you're about to purchase, for example, but in the distant past another owner might have simply gotten informal permission to use some of the neighbor's land. To get a clear idea of what the property entails, you may need the help of a surveyor to investigate the possibilities from the deed and other documents.
You may also require a surveyor if there's a great deal of land and you're not sure whether there are wetlands or other uninhabitable spaces; they can determine that for you.
A Police Officer
You might not imagine that you'll need a police officer's permission before purchasing a house, and you're right. The reason that you should consult one or a few cops before you sign a deed is that they can give you first-hand knowledge of the safety in the neighborhood you could be living in. Just a few moments with an officer sitting in his cruiser or a few minutes with the official community officer can help you to feel better about the new location. They might even take your number so they can look up recent events and provide you with more information later.
After time with these three professionals, you'll have a deeper understanding of the home and property you plan to purchase. Talk more with your real estate agent about additional professionals you might want to contact before you officially place an offer or buy the property.
