history of the property you have under consideration. Do not simply settle for the information contained in the customer copy of listings. Ask your agent for more detailed info. Find answers to how long the property has been on the market and if it was previously listed, withdrawn, and relisted for a lower price. These kinds of questions can help you decide how much to offer. You also need detailed information on the property, most of which will be available from public records. A bit of research online in the records 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 are paid or in arrears will also be available in the records. You will also be able to see if there were permits obtained to make improvements on 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. Do not skip this search, because it reveals important information about the property you are interested in and could save you money. You can get this information through your agent if you are using one, since most agents subscribe to services that give them access to such data. If you are not using an agent, you can obtain this information through a local title company or can order it online for a small fee.
MAKING THE CHOICE
Once you’ve done all your homework, you need to decide whether to buy the house. It is important that you step back and evaluate all the information available to you from viewing the house, inspecting its condition, and researching public records.
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