Buy a House Fast

Nowadays, it’s standard practice for a home inspection to precede purchasing a house.  Think about it: wouldn’t you want to know as much as possible before making one of the biggest decisions of your life?  The same way you ask for a vehicle history report before buying a used car, you ask for an inspection to know what it is you’re getting yourself into, and to be aware of any red flags (or existing  problems) that may need to be dealt with down the line.

Not always included

What you may not know about the inspection process is that it tends to vary, not only by region but based on the credentials of the inspector.  Be aware that the home won’t always be checked for the following:  asbestos, radon, methane, radiation and formaldehyde, wood-destroying organisms (like termites), mold, mildew and fungi, rodents, or lead.  Many of the items on this list require specific licenses to identify and flag.

What to expect

By and large, home inspections WILL pay close attention to the following:  structural elements (ceilings, walls floors, foundation etc), the home’s exterior (grading, wall coverings, landscaping etc), the roof and attic, plumbing, systems and components (AC, heat, ducts etc), the electrical, the garage and all appliances.
While the inspection won’t always provide you with the exact condition of each of these features, it will let you know which are defective and could potentially be hazardous to your health.

If you believe what you see on TV, buying a home and performing all repairs and renovations yourself is a walk in the park.  Many consider a fixer-upper a fun DIY project like restoring an old car or learning to cook for yourself, the kind of activity that lets you put your personal stamp on a property and adds to the pride that comes with home ownership.  Add in the money you could save by buying a house that needs work and you’ve got a winning combination, right?  Right?

The honest answer to that is… it depends.

It depends on what kind of condition the home is in, and what repairs need to happen before it can be considered fully livable.  Remember, a home that needs its wiring redone, or which has only a half-finished second floor, or whose plumbing is suspect may be a long way from “ready to move in.”  You’ll have to factor in not only the added cost of hiring a contractor (or if you really are doing this by yourself, of all tools and materials) but also the inconvenience of having to go elsewhere when parts of the home cannot be accessed.  If you’re new to the area you’re moving into, this may mean shelling out money to stay in a nearby hotel; if your kitchen is undergoing repairs, you may have to eat out for however long the process takes.  Assuming you decide to stay in the home while it’s being worked on, are you prepared to live in a construction site?

Another potential downside to going it alone is the possibility of error.  It goes without saying that mistakes can happen when you attempt a project you aren’t qualified to tackle, but even contractors can make mistakes- what guarantee do you have that the so-called specialist you hire will complete the task to your satisfaction?  Even if he/she fails miserably, you will have no choice to cover the labor they put in, and then pay even more for yet another so-called professional to hopefully right the ship.  Buying a home that has already been fully restored (like the ones we sell) eliminates the risk of a botched job.  We have a tried-and-true system in place, and a large network of reliable contractors… why not let us handle the details while you focus only on enjoying your newly purchased home?
Some people (you may know them as house flippers) have been known to buy fixer uppers hoping to eventually sell them for a massive profit.  You should be aware that performing renovations on a home does not entitle you to add your building costs onto the final selling price- in other words, a home that you purchase for $150,000 will NOT automatically sell for $200,000 simply because you sank $50,000 into restoring it.

The point is, no matter how practical, cost-saving or trendy fixer-uppers may seem, few people realize how much time, effort (and yes, money) can go into the process.  Before you decide to take matters into your own hands, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.  If you’d rather spare yourself the hassle and are fine with letting experienced professionals create a beautiful living space for you, give us a call and let’s make something happen.