If you
are looking to buy a home, whether it is your first one, or it’s time for a
change, you will have a lot of questions to ask, and that is a good thing. As a homebuyer, you want to know what you
are getting into by purchasing property. Questions begin as soon as
you start your home search.
How
much of a mortgage can I qualify for, and afford? How much of a down payment
should I have? Are there homebuyer programs available to help? What are the
Realtor® commissions and closing costs and fees? These are great questions to
ask, but there are also important
questions to ask when you come across a home you want to make an offer on.
In this two-part blog, you can learn what these questions are and how they can
help find the right home for you.
What are the average monthly
maintenance and utility costs? Starting with an
idea of the average monthly costs for utilities can help you better plan your
household costs. If a home you are interested in is part of an HOA (Home Owners
Association), for example, you will want to know what membership fees are as
well.
What are your parking options? If you love to entertain, be
sure you know how much parking is available for guests, both on and off your
property. If you have a recreational vehicle, in Colorado Springs, these cannot
be parked on a street, but must be kept either in a driveway, or garage/storage
space, or in a yard area that is at least 10 feet away from the road.
Have there been
any pest infestations?
This is not a pleasant question to ask, but ask you must. Knowing the history
of any issues with pests will help you better prepare for the possibility they
may return. Be sure to know what type of pests have been found, how long ago
there was an issue, and how the infestation was treated. A good rule of thumb
is to have the property inspected and treated for pests before you move in, as
treatments are easier with an empty house.
Have there been any pipe or
sewer problems?
This is another not-so-pleasant question to ask, but one to be aware of.
According to a recent article published by Insurance
Journal, claims related to broken or damaged pipes are one of the most
common type of claim for homeowners. If there have been problems in the past,
having repairs inspected is worth the effort.
What are the current property
taxes? While
property taxes are based on current home value assessments, knowing the history
of property taxes on a home will give you some insight into how the property
has held up as an investment. It is also good to know if property taxes are due
near the time of purchase. You may be able to split the taxes with the seller
if they are. You also don’t want to end up with an extra debt you were not
anticipating so soon after moving in.
Check back next week for more Smart Questions for homebuyers
to ask. When you are ready to sell or buy your home, we at Springs LifeStyles Real
Estate are here to
help you with all of your real estate needs! As your buyer agent, we will
strive to give you the best support we can. Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and
additional information.
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