Matt's Real Estate Blog

We've all been there.  You're either still living with family or renting a place that reminds you everyday that you don't own it.  Every time you stare at the white walls or sleep in the same room you grew up in the questions crosses your mind:

Should I finally "grow up" and buy a home?

Well, it's actually not as straightforward as you think.  If you're not ready emotionally and financially to take the path of home ownership, the emotional and financial strain can easily outweigh the home ownership experience.

A home is something to be enjoyed.  If you strictly look at it from an investment standpoint you will more than likely not a home that you like and it will be a decision you'll regret.  Part of the fun of owning a home is personalizing it and being able to choose the specific things you want (appliances, flooring, paint, etc.). 

Ion the same token, if owning isn't possible or just not in the cards, it's always a good idea to keep your option open.  Budget you money so you can save for a down payment and start seeing if the are you want to settle down is what you like and financially feasible.

My last point (and this I can say from personal experience), the younger you are when you purchase you first home the better it is in the long-run (not to mention you'll be the envy of all your friends who still rent).

The more competitive real estate market and the wealth of information that buyers have at their dispoal make it that much more important for home sellers to be one step ahead.  Having your home inspected before you list is one of many things that can help.

Basically, the sellers orders a home inspection in the same way a buyer does once they have a ratified contract on a home.  The inspector comes out and does a thurough inspection of the property.  A report is then generated for the seller.

The seller having one of these before the intial has many advantages including:

• the ability to correct any deferred maintnence issues before a buyer discovers them as part of their home inspection.  When that happens typically there are deadines and the pressure of negotiations and moving plans can affect good judgement.  Also, buyers tend to demand more when they find the issue.
• Transparency.  Many buyers feel more at ease making a strong ofer on a property when they feel at ease about the property.  A home inspection report give the buyer food for thought and a glimpse into the overall conditon of the property.  There are instances of buyers also waiving their home inspection contingency based on the results of a pre-listing home inspection report.
• any major isues that the seller cannot or does not want to fix can be disclosed.  This helps the seller comply with any local property disclosure laws.

This one step can save many headaches and is one of the major steps in positioning your home to get top dollar in today's competitive market.