Your home inspector is there to try and help bring awareness to any major problems that may lie within the home you are hoping to purchase, however oftentimes home buyers don’t understand exactly what a home inspection covers, what their home inspector is looking for, or what questions they should ask post inspection. 

Related: Buying a House in the Fall or Winter? Make Sure to Check These Things

First and foremost, understanding what is covered, or rather, inspected is crucial in generating your own personal questions for your inspector. As a general rule of thumb, your home inspector will be looking at things such as: 

• Roof & Roofing materials such as gutters or chimneys
• Home’s Exterior such as siding
• Structure and frames/foundations
• Heating/Cooling Systems
• Plumbing
• Doors & Windows
• Interior
• Fireplace (if applicable)
• Electrical

While you will get a report of the findings during the inspection, you may still want to ask some questions. Oftentimes understanding a home inspection report feels as if you’re reading another language, and thus, getting clarification is always a good practice. A few common questions you should ask your home inspector could be: 

• Are there any problems with the foundation?
• Is mold present anywhere within the home?
• What items will need immediate repair?
• What will need replacement in the next 12 months?
• Is there any corrosion? – This should always be asked for areas that are coastal as salt corrosion can cause a long list of damages.

Related: Things to Know Before Buying a Historic Home

Regardless of how well you know your real estate agent, the seller of the home, or your home inspector, you should always go through your inspection report thoroughly. In addition to the common questions listed above, should you have any questions while going through the report, tag the page, take notes, and formulate a list of your questions to discuss with your agent and/or home inspector. 

With the current market, many buyers are choosing to purchase homes “as is” in an effort for their offer to look more appealing than others. While this may boost your chances of acceptance, you need to be careful when doing so as it could lead you to purchase a home that requires more work or maintenance than you may have expected. If you are planning to purchase a home as is, asking the question, “what items will need immediate repair?” is key in budgeting for both your purchase as well as the repairs needed as soon as escrow closes. 

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time. 

 

More Information for Buyers

• How to Make an Offer on a Home
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part One
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part Two
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

Buying a House is an exciting time, however one thing many potential buyers don’t realize is that there are certain things you should look for pending on when you’ll be house hunting. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong time to purchase a home, however, if you plan on buying a house this Fall or Winter, here are a few things you should be sure to look for prior to placing an offer.

Related: Things to Know Before Buying a Historic Home

Drainage

One of the things that many buyers who purchase in the warmer and drier months fail to check is the potential for poor drainage. Luckily when buying a house in the Fall or Winter if any part of the home or the property has any drainage issues it may be more apparent or easily visible. Drainage problems can lead to a multitude of problems, from standing water, cracking concrete, breeding grounds for pests, etc. so make sure to look for any puddles, standing water or low points throughout the property so you can understand any drainage issues prior to purchase.

Gutters

If the home has gutters, what kind of condition are they in? While you’ll want to check that the gutters are intact and attached to the home properly, checking for any clogs or areas where debris build up is common are great ways to ensure that the gutters are draining properly, as well as prepare you for any areas that may need extra attention throughout the year to help avoid future clogs.

Mature Trees

While mature trees often add a stunning visual appearance or boost your curb appeal, if the trees are too mature, have rot or other diseases, or are too close to the home, you may risk the tree falling in the future which could cause damage to the home. Likewise, if you find a questionable tree and choose to remove the tree prior to move in, you’ll be looking at tree removal expenses. While this is both a problem in the dry summer months and the Fall/Winter, often windstorms in the cooler months are easy ways for older trees to fall.  

Related: Most Popular Home Styles in the Carolina’s

Black Mold

It’s no secret that moisture can lead to mold growth, and while mold can grow all year round, the wetter months are more prone to exponential mold growth, especially in areas where moisture can be trapped easily. One of the most common places you’ll find mold in cooler temperatures is in the windowsills. Make sure to inspect each window when buying a house, as well as the underside of sinks, showers, bathtubs etc. to make sure that the areas have stayed dry or been cleaned regularly to avoid the dangers of mold accumulation.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

More Information for Buyers

• How to Make an Offer on a Home
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part One
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part Two
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

Historic homes are a common site along the east coast, from plantation style homes further to the south, large estates and manors, the homes that can be found within both North and South Carolina are often nothing short of breathtaking. While visually many of the historic homes that can be found in the Carolina’s are near perfection, there are a few key elements you want to focus on if you are planning on purchasing an older home.

Renovation Restrictions

While not true for all historic homes, many of them may have renovation restrictions in place. These restrictions may limit the amount of updating or renovations that can be done due to trying to preserve the historic architecture and integrity of the home. Looking up any restrictions is key in understanding the future of your potential new home, and if you’re able to create your dream home within the set guidelines.

Related: What Time do I Get my Keys After Closing Escrow?

Home Inspections

When purchasing a historic home getting a home inspection is vital in understanding the amount of work that is needed to either maintain, upkeep, or renovate the house. Once you have your inspection you can create a timeline of sorts that outlies any repairs that may be needed, when they’re needed, as well as cost associated with each repair so you can budget accordingly and ultimately see if with the given repairs and budgets you’d still like to move forward with your purchase.

Lots of Elbow Grease

Older homes are nearly always more work, from small updates and repairs to more large ticket items that need maintenance, most people who choose to purchase an older home are generally handy and able to tackle all the little projects as they arise without having to hire an outside vendor.

Outdated

Naturally, older homes and historic homes, while they may boast elegant charm and character, due to being built before many modern-day conveniences can leave them quite outdated. This can be simple things such as a lack of outlets, to more extreme issues such as improper or poor plumbing and electrical throughout the home.

Related: Most Popular Home Styles in the Carolina’s

Owning a historic home can be a huge blessing and many homeowners take immense pride in restoring or maintaining the integrity of their home’s character over the years, even if they’re adding a few more modern-day finishes. Whether you’re looking for the perfect house to restore or want a turnkey property, oftentimes historic homes can provide both aspects as long as you do the needed research.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, whether a historic home or not, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

More Information for Buyers

• How to Make an Offer on a Home
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part One
• Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part Two
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

When it comes to purchasing a home, amongst setting budgets and making wish lists, deciding if you want a two-story or a single-story home is a huge decision that needs to be made. Last week we dove into the pros and cons of deciding to purchase a single-story home, leaving us wondering, what pros and cons are commonly associated with purchasing a two-story home?

Related: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Neighborhood

Two-Story Pros

• Space: In addition to often being accompanied by a larger lot, multiple stories also can allow for ample square footage as the home can expand upwards and not just out.
• Burglary: Owning a two-story home is generally a great option for those who are concerned with theft issues as two-story homes are less likely to be burglarized due to the multi-stories being more difficult to access for burglars, making a two-story home more appealing to many buyers.

Two-Story Cons

• Mobility: Mobility is a huge factor when it comes to purchasing a home as a two-story home is naturally more difficult to navigate for those who may have physical limitations. Additionally, even for those without any physical limitations, simple tasks such as carrying a basket of laundry up and down the stairs is more difficult than simply carrying it down a hallway on the same level.
• Heating & Cooling: Have you ever heard the phrase “heat rises?” Unfortunately, when it comes to multi-story homes you can generally expect to have a higher heating and cooling bill as often your heat will rise making the second story much hotter than the first, resulting in higher cooling bills during the summer, and likewise, higher heating bills in the winter to cool the first floor of your home.

Related: Should I Buy a Single-Story or a Two-Story Home? Part One

While there are a few other pros and cons that some may argue help play a role in their final decision to purchase either a single-story or a two-story home, these few topics seem to be the most commonly discussed when potential buyers are trying to decide which home-style would best fit their wants and needs.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, regardless of how many levels, are ready to sell your home and need a local and qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

More About Carolina Real Estate

• How to Make an Offer on a Home
• What Time do I Get My Keys After Closing Escrow?
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

Deciding to buy a house is huge decision, however, often deciding whether you should buy a single-story or a two-story home is an even harder choice to make. While ultimately it is up to you to decide which home style will fit your wants and needs best, there are a few common pros and cons to point out on each of these home styles. Today we will dive into the pros and cons of Single-Story homes, stay tuned for next week’s article, where we will take a closer look at two-story houses as well as their pros and cons.

Single-Story Pros

• Safety: Easily one of the largest pros when it comes to purchasing a single-story home is the safety that it can provide. Whether this is for toddlers learning to walk, elderly family members navigating a steep staircase, or just day to day chores such as hauling a laundry basket, without stairs, your home is automatically easier to navigate, and can lead to less potential falls or accidents.
• Mobility: While you may be running marathons now, one sprained ankle later and you’ll be wishing you didn’t have to hop up the stairs each night to go to bed. Much like the safety point above, eliminating stairs from home allows for far easier mobility within your home for those of all ages and abilities.
• Maintenance: Many agree that maintaining a single-story home is much easier than multi-stories, with everything all on one level, simple tasks as well as larger maintenance items are much easier to complete.  

Related: Most Popular Home Styles in the Carolina’s

Single-Story Cons

• Privacy: One of the biggest cons when it comes to single-story homes is the lack of privacy. Many homeowners as well as renters agree, they don’t like having bedroom windows on the ground level, likewise, they don’t like everyone who walks by being able to see into the entirety of their home.
• Lot Space: Naturally, single-story homes take up more space than two-story homes when it comes to their positioning on a lot, this can often lead to smaller yards and should you wish to expand or add onto your home, you’ll have to give up more of your yard space to do so.

Related: Are Vaulted Ceilings Worth It?

There is a lot to consider when it comes to purchasing a new home, and whether you already know what home style you’re searching for, are on the fence, or want to explore both options, it is important to ensure that prior to placing an offer on a home, you are sure that the home you are purchasing falls within your desired home style, whether that be a single or a multi-story house.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, regardless of the home type, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified, local seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

More About Carolina Real Estate

• 3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Foreclosure
• What Time do I Get My Keys After Closing Escrow?
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

You’ve finally closed escrow and you’re ready to get your keys and start moving into your new home, however, you may be left wondering exactly when that will happen. Unfortunatley there is no specific timeframe that is set in stone for buyers to finally turn the lock and step into their new home for the first time. While you’ll have the date you close pre-determined, planning a 7am move in on the day you close, may result in waiting around for your deed to be processed, and thus, being given your keys. 

Related: Why Millenials are Buying Real Estate Together

The waiting process to get keys can often be quite stressful, especially if you’ve planned to move into your new home the same day as closing, and thus, many people try to plan a more relaxed move by giving a little cushion, or window, and choose to move in the day after closing, or even later on in the week as this allows for no delays. 

The big question simply being, why don’t you get keys right away? As with all things, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to purchasing a home, many of which are done behind the scenes. Amongst the piles of closing documents, multiple forms and documents you’ve submitted to lenders, hours spent searching listings, touring homes, etc. there is one thing that may put a small hiccup in your moving plans, and unfortunatley it’s something that you have no control over. Recording the deed. 

Once you’ve signed all your closing documents and funded your loan, the last step before you’re able to get your keys is having the deed to your house recorded by the county. Once this is done, you can then get your keys! There are multiple other certifications that will be required for your home prior to closing, such as your certificate of occupancy, being aware of each step is highly encouraged as it allows you to stay on top of you loan’s process. 

Related: 4 Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful

Your Carolina Real Estate Agent, will be able to keep you informed, as well as answer any questions that you may have so that whether you’re beginning your house hunting journey, are within escrow, or are waiting for your keys, you can stay informed every step of the way. 

In conclusion, the time you’ll end up getting your keys will rely entirely on what time your deed is recorded with the county, while not always guaranteed, in most cases, if you are closing on a Tuesday-Thursday, you’ll get your keys earilier in the day, whereas Friday-Monday cosings generally result in later closings as those days are busier within the county offices. 

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to represent you, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time. 

More About Carolina Real Estate

• 3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Foreclosure
• What Risks are There When Buying a Short Sale?
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving