So you found a house you like and you hired a top-notch home inspector to make sure the house is sound before you buy it. Your home inspector in Poway, San Diego has completed their inspection and found no serious problems such as structural instabilities or a mold infestation.
The only thing that’s left to do now is to close the deal. Most sellers either don’t put a price tag on their property, or they deliberately list a price that’s too high because that gives them more leverage during negotiations. Either way, you have to make an offer.
In this article, we’ll help you make a smart buying decision by giving you a few crucial home inspection questions and techniques that you can use to your advantage. Read on to learn more.
Did the seller already receive other offers?
Knowing whether other people have already made offers for the house you’re thinking of buying is extremely important. If there’s competition involved, you need to act fast and make a strong offer right off the bat.
On the other hand, if nobody else has made an offer yet, you can take it easy and thoroughly asses the home in question. Sellers know that any buyer can decide to walk away at any time, and the lack of offers can cause them to become worried and therefore more willing to accept a lower offer.
What about disclosures?
Does the property have any plumbing or electrical issues? Is it in danger of getting flooded? Are there any liens on it? These are just some of the many serious problems that a seller is legally obliged to tell you about before they can sell you the property.
That being said, there are many irresponsible or unscrupulous sellers out there who may deliberately omit to give you this information in order to get you to make a rushed buying decision. It’s best to get a full list of disclosures before you make any offers.
Does the seller still owe on the home? If so, how much?
The properties that have already been paid for in full will naturally require a higher offer, whereas properties that still have considerable mortgage payments left can be bought at a lower price. Once you have this information, discuss it with your realtor and prepare an offer strategy. Never make a spur-of-the-moment offer.
How high are the property taxes?
Property taxes vary a lot depending on what US state or county you’re in. Because of this, you should take the time to educate yourself about the taxes that apply to the place you want to buy. Don’t forget to ask the seller. An honest seller will happily give you copies of their bills, whereas a seller who tries to withhold information is a huge red flag.
How soon does the seller want to close?
Ask yourself: if the seller wishes to close within 1-2 weeks, will I be prepared? What if they plan to keep the sale open for at least two months? While it’s possible to negotiate with the seller and have the closing timeline shortened or postponed, it’s still something you must keep in mind when preparing your offer.
Where can I hire a reliable home inspector in Poway, San Diego?
Let’s say there’s a great property near the Tony Gwynn Memorial in Poway, San Diego that you’re thinking of purchasing. Before you can even consider making an offer, you must ensure this place doesn’t have any serious problems that may be prohibitively expensive or even impossible to solve.
The best way to do this is to enlist the services of a dependable home inspection technician. The experts who work at Inspectors Company have both the experience and the equipment necessary to conduct second-to-none home examinations and compile extensive inspection reports. Reach out to us today.
