Check for evidence of water around the foundation, which may indicate drainage issues. The ground should slope away from the foundation. If there’s a porch, it should have a foundation, not simply sit on soil. Check that driveways and walkways leading up to the house don’t have cracks and aren’t crumbling. Check that the siding of the home is in good repair. Look at the landscaping on the property. It shouldn’t be unkempt and unsightly, as that can indicate a lack of care. If there is a sprinkler system, you will want to have a specialist make sure it is in proper working condition, weather permitting. If there’s a deck, look for any decay or damage.
PROPERTY HISTORY
It’s a good practice to know all that you can about the sales history of the property. Don’t simply settle for the information contained in the customer copy of listings. Ask your agent for more detailed information. Find answers as to how long the property has been on the market and whether it was previously listed, withdrawn, and/or relisted for a lower price. These kinds of questions can help you decide how much to offer. You’ll also need detailed information on the property, most of which will be available from the public records, often available at town hall. A bit of research online will disclose the name of the owner, original age of the home, mortgage history, parcel number, previous sales of the property, property deeds, and any judgments or liens filed against the seller. Information about how much the property taxes are, and whether they’re paid or in arrears, will also be available in the records. You’ll also be able to see if there were permits obtained to make improvements to the home. These permits could complicate the sale of the property if liens were attached by workmen or improvements were not done up to code.
47
Powered by FlippingBook