Tips for Buying 2nd Hand Houses and Pre-owned Properties

There can be a lot of reasons why a person sells his own house. Some common reasons why people sell their houses are: relocation, inability to continue payment on the mortgage, house not suited for their needs, house become too small for their family and others.

For some, buying a second hand house is one opportunity to buy a home at a lesser price as compared to buying a new one or building from scratch. Buying one also saves a lot of time, for you could move in as soon as all the paper works are done.

But there are a lot of things a buyer should consider first before buying a second hand property like a house since without proper planning and evaluation, instead of landing a great deal, you might purchase a nightmare of a house, for you may need to shell out more money for repairs and improvements.

Here are some tips on what to do before buying a 2^nd hand house

See the house for yourself

Don’t just trust your broker, agent or pictures of the house being sold. It is best to see the house for yourself. You should get to see and feel the whole house in order to determine if the house is really what you need. A closer look into the house could also lead for you to discover if ever there are changes to be done or repairs needed before pursuing the deal.

It is also best to talk with the current or last owners for they are the ones who really know the real condition of the house being sold. Ask them if they have any recommendations about home improvements or problems in the past.

Don’t go for price alone

Many people buy houses based on their prices. Houses that come with a very low price tag might hide troubles that can cost you a lot in the future. Better look around the area and research on the average price of houses and lots in the vicinity and compare it to your house of choice.

Look around the neighborhood

Location is also a key point in buying a house. Look for a house that is near public establishments such as schools, church, markets and bus and train stations. It is also nice to ask around the neighborhood about the peace and order situation of their locality. It is also recommended to research if the place is flood prone or has been visited by natural disasters such as tornados, storms and hurricanes in the past few years.

Check the landscaping

If the current or last owners of the house kept the lawn well maintained, chances are, the whole house is well taken cared of also. A neglected lawn and landscape however can cause some damage to the house.  Vines can destroy walls and ceilings while roots from trees can affect the house’s foundation.

Hire a Certified Home Inspection

This is the golden rule before buying either a brand new house or a pre-owned property. Calling the services of certified home inspectors is a must before you consider buying a house.

Certified home inspectors can detect problems you or the previous owners didn’t notice when you’ve conducted your own investigation. They can also give you expert advice on how to make the house safer before you move in.

 

Certified and professional inspectors such as the experts from South Bay Home Inspections can also offer you specialized inspection packages on top of the ordinary generalist home inspection package.

South Bay Home Inspections also provides special packages for:

·       Air and Mold Sampling

·       Pool and Spa Inspections

To learn more kindly visit us at www.SouthBayHomeInspections.com

or call us at (424) 210-7244.