| Becoming a home owner for the first time | | | | for you to hire a surveyor, so avoid |
| is a big step in any one's life. If you | | | | homes that obviously have a damp smell |
| are young then you're probably plied | | | | in the basement (or excessive air |
| with so much advice from older members | | | | freshener!) |
| of the family that your head is | | | | You can also ask to you use the bathroom |
| spinning. If you are not a spring | | | | and wash your hands - thus |
| chicken anymore, then everyone thinks | | | | surreptitiously checking the flushing |
| you have all the answers - but you | | | | system and the hot water taps. |
| don't! | | | | It is a very good idea to check the open |
| The decision is fraught with doubt for a | | | | houses in your area before you are ready |
| good reason: it is probably the single | | | | to buy. This will give you more |
| most expensive thing you have bought in | | | | confidence for when you are ready. There |
| your life. No-one wants to waste their | | | | are many question that you can ask the |
| money!Checking out open houses is one | | | | real estate agent who is showing the |
| way to familiarize yourself with the | | | | house. |
| real estate market. | | | | For instance you can ask about the |
| In order to feel you are making a good | | | | neighborhood and the larger area. Ask |
| investment you need to start studying | | | | for the pros and cons so that you can |
| the property market of the area you plan | | | | hear both sides. Find out the average |
| to buy in. Read the local ads in the | | | | street price. Ask about the defects of |
| newspaper both by realty companies and | | | | the house! Remember the person showing |
| the ones that are 'sale by owner'. If | | | | the house may not always be the listing |
| you are on a low budget, and notice a | | | | realtor, but you can ask if this is the |
| consistently cheaper area, drive over | | | | case. |
| and check it out. Also check it out at | | | | Get used to asking if there has already |
| night-time. | | | | been any offers on the house. If so why |
| Often when we are planning to buy our | | | | were they rejected, was it because the |
| first home, we have lofty ideals that | | | | price was too low, or was it the |
| the bank do not seem so keen to back up! | | | | conditions of the agreement? Ask if the |
| You may have to fore-go the second | | | | seller has any conditions attached to |
| bathroom or the laundry room or a | | | | the sale (i.e. they may want 4 months to |
| deck,to buy a house within your price | | | | completion). |
| range. But, once you have your foot on | | | | Give a careful look at the outside of |
| the property market, you can work | | | | the house near the ground, check for |
| towards 'moving up' the property ladder, | | | | water leakages. Are the gutters spilling |
| instead of struggling to keep your down | | | | over - this may indicate how well the |
| payment up with it. | | | | house is looked after. |
| If the house needs a coat of paint or if | | | | Does it have any noise issues? Is it |
| the exterior is very plain, try to | | | | near a railway line, a shooting range, |
| visualize it with a porch that you can | | | | or a club that turns out late at night? |
| add, or with shutters or painted an | | | | Do not feel embarrassed to ask |
| exotic color. | | | | questions. Once you have checked out a |
| There are some flaws which you do not | | | | few open houses, you will feel more |
| want to consider, and these run into the | | | | comfortable about this and also more |
| structural, electrical and water | | | | knowledgeable about what type of house |
| problems. A surveyor will spot these for | | | | feels right for you. |
| you. However it is more financial outlay | | | | |