I am for the first time buying a home. I am in the process of inspecting the home now and should close by the end of October. This whole process is new and scary and exciting for me. In case your wondering yes, I chose a house with an in closed patio for smoking lol so to you home owners out there, any advice for a first time home buyer or owner?
Big Personal Change in My Life.
- Thread starter wnghanglow
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I actually have a plumbing, hear and air, and roof guy scheduled for next week. (Three different people) I had a general home inspector come and look at the house yesterday and he suggested I hired those three specialists from what he saw. Hopefully nothing big comes from any of it but I would rather know now before I buy.
Also I assumed from your name you lived in Fl, I'm actually in Oklahoma I go to Texas a few times a year for vacation. Where do you live?
If the inspection turns up needed repairs.Get estimates on the cost of said repairs.Use that when you talk about the price you pay for the house.
Thanks 
and Roth, I was actually wondering if I could re-negotiate the price, the home owner gave a 500 allowance to fix things but if the floor vents are screwed and I need to put in an up flow unit, that's going to be in the 10,000's. Glad to know I can still negotiate even after the seller accepted my bid.
and Roth, I was actually wondering if I could re-negotiate the price, the home owner gave a 500 allowance to fix things but if the floor vents are screwed and I need to put in an up flow unit, that's going to be in the 10,000's. Glad to know I can still negotiate even after the seller accepted my bid.
Congrats wnghanglow! Very exciting news.
One word of warning: There were investigative news reports several years ago that exposed the collusion between realtors and home inspectors. If a home inspector gives a home a bad review, the realtors stop recommending that person and effectively put them out of business.
As well, a general home inspector (even a licensed one) cannot legally comment on the structure - only a certified engineer can do that.
Many years ago when my wife and I were about to buy a new house, we considered not having it inspected since it was brand new - just built - but then thought better of it and hired not the home inspector the realtor recommended but a building engineer (who costs only a little more $$).
Funny thing was, the realtor was at the house when the engineer showed up and she nearly fainted.
Turns out, the engineer had been there before. He found structural problems with the house. In fact, the engineer told us he had been to the house before at the request of the realtor. This was due to the realtor being told by other inspectors that the framing was no good.
So the engineer confirmed this for her - and yet she continued to list it and sell it. The key here was that she never disclosed these problems to us - which is illegal. I was furious. We had expended not just cash, but a lot of time and energy only to learn that she was trying to hoodwink us. Anyway, long story short, she wound up paying for our inspections and last I heard, she quit the real estate business.
There's more to this story, but the moral is: get an engineer who has no affiliation with the realtor, it may be the best money you ever spend.
Good for you.
One word of warning: There were investigative news reports several years ago that exposed the collusion between realtors and home inspectors. If a home inspector gives a home a bad review, the realtors stop recommending that person and effectively put them out of business.
As well, a general home inspector (even a licensed one) cannot legally comment on the structure - only a certified engineer can do that.
Many years ago when my wife and I were about to buy a new house, we considered not having it inspected since it was brand new - just built - but then thought better of it and hired not the home inspector the realtor recommended but a building engineer (who costs only a little more $$).
Funny thing was, the realtor was at the house when the engineer showed up and she nearly fainted.
Turns out, the engineer had been there before. He found structural problems with the house. In fact, the engineer told us he had been to the house before at the request of the realtor. This was due to the realtor being told by other inspectors that the framing was no good.
So the engineer confirmed this for her - and yet she continued to list it and sell it. The key here was that she never disclosed these problems to us - which is illegal. I was furious. We had expended not just cash, but a lot of time and energy only to learn that she was trying to hoodwink us. Anyway, long story short, she wound up paying for our inspections and last I heard, she quit the real estate business.
There's more to this story, but the moral is: get an engineer who has no affiliation with the realtor, it may be the best money you ever spend.
Numbersix, I had my suspicions something like that could happen, and I told my Relator that I wanted to bring in my own people. She didn't seem to mind in the least and asked if I wanted her present still. The people I used were just whoever had a good review online I don't know them either, so all I can do is put faith in that they respect there job and reputation. This is one of the reasons I'm so nervous, I don't like having to trust strangers.
You need to be familiar with the laws for the area in which the home is located. Some states allow the buyer to back out of the deal within a specified time.
Not sure if you've thought of this, but what about a termite/carpenter ant inspection?
Not sure if you've thought of this, but what about a termite/carpenter ant inspection?
Wnghanglow:
I now live in FL but I lived in Fort Worth TX over 7 years. I had a home inspection done before I bought my home but did not know about having the underground plumbing inspected. It cost me lots later.
I hope all works out well for your home purchase.
I now live in FL but I lived in Fort Worth TX over 7 years. I had a home inspection done before I bought my home but did not know about having the underground plumbing inspected. It cost me lots later.
I hope all works out well for your home purchase.
I hear ya! Buying a home is nerve wracking, but worth it.
I think the key is to look at this entire process as a business deal. The worst thing I've seen people do (like my niece and her husband) is get emotionally attached to a house and go in blind. They were overly trusting and were buying from a couple who are members of their church. Because of this they trusted them and chose not to inspect.
Turned out the foundation had major issues and cost a small fortune to fix.
I keep hearing stories like that over and over again, making me paranoid.
Off topic but numbersix has your picture always had a mask in it? I never noticed before lol
Off topic but numbersix has your picture always had a mask in it? I never noticed before lol
I just bought my first home last March as well and these guys are pretty dead on; spring for every inspection you can possibly get. It's just better to be prepared and have some leverage to bargain with the seller. If it's I got mine knocked down about eight grand for the age of the roof and any other necessary repairs they made before my move date. I'm not sure if you can do the tax credit right now because of the shutdown, but I know that has to be done before closing if you were looking for some starting capital. Good luck and congratulations! Be sure to post pictures.
I've lived in the same old farmhouse for 37 years - just the thought of buying a new home is off-putting. Packing? OMG !!!! I'm happy for you for your new house and I'm happy I don't have to do it!
I hear you loud and clear ... we're in our house 35 years now and the thought of having to pack and move is well beyond daunting ...
wnghanglow ... it may seem like a lot of expense and red tape now, but you'll be glad to have done the due diligence after everything is completed ... learning of problems after the fact is far and away a bigger problem in every imaginable way ...
My home inspector was a typical human....missed the pile of rust sitting on the water heater burner which prevented me from moving in my house on time. He must have pencil whipped the inspection from the seat of his car.
The inspection period is where most deals can go south. Yes to negotiate on every aspect of needed repairs. If it were me I'd want the repair done and re-inspected, not a reduced price. That is just me.
This is such a delicate process. If you are obtaining a loan and the value may be near the limit where an appraiser may not give full value, then you may wish to downplay any defect and hope the appraiser doesn't notice. At least you will know your position going into negotiations by having a good inspection. Sometimes the seller will want a copy of the inspection and make that as a condition on a counter offer. That will signal their willingness to get it fixed to make the deal work, they need the funds elsewhere. Just remember, your inspection that YOU paid for. It is valuable and treat it that way.
As to you writing the letter, your realtor should be doing that, if not than they are not earning their keep.
One of the best things you can obtain is a warranty, talk to your realtor about getting one prior to the inspection period if they are available in your state (ie American Homeshield).
This is such a delicate process. If you are obtaining a loan and the value may be near the limit where an appraiser may not give full value, then you may wish to downplay any defect and hope the appraiser doesn't notice. At least you will know your position going into negotiations by having a good inspection. Sometimes the seller will want a copy of the inspection and make that as a condition on a counter offer. That will signal their willingness to get it fixed to make the deal work, they need the funds elsewhere. Just remember, your inspection that YOU paid for. It is valuable and treat it that way.
As to you writing the letter, your realtor should be doing that, if not than they are not earning their keep.
One of the best things you can obtain is a warranty, talk to your realtor about getting one prior to the inspection period if they are available in your state (ie American Homeshield).
I just want everyone to know, I have read your posts and have taken notes. I will let you all know how the vents unfold in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the support and advice.
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