House Hunting Tips for the Spring Market

Spring is officially here; the real estate market bustling with new listings and open houses. If you are planning on buying a home, here are some tips that will make your house-hunting experience positive and productive.

Finding the right real estate agent that will work with you is an important first step in the home buying process.  This is an important endeavor, and as such, you want to make sure that your personality is compatible with that of your agent. Since you will be working closely on making significant decisions, having an agent who thoroughly understands your goals is paramount. Here are some tips for finding the perfect agent:

• When you meet with an agent for the first time, make sure they have explained what the "Laws of Agency" are in Massachusetts, and who they are representing.
• Have your buyer's agent put you on a daily email drip with your buying criteria so that you are kept informed daily of what is coming to Market.  The Market is heating is up, and the property may be gone before you are able to view it.
• Ask your agent about their background and qualifications.  Make sure the person you chose to represent you is able to handle the nuances of buying and selling properties.

The next step is to ensure sure you do your research to find the right community for you and your needs. Deciding what type of neighborhood you want to live in is crucial; rural, suburban, or the city? Check out what the surrounding area offers, see what the downtown is like. Is it filled with coffee shops, grocery stores, banks, schools? Learning about the neighborhood of where you are looking to purchase a home is almost as important as picking the home you want to purchase. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision with regard to the neighborhood:

• If you are looking to move in to a specific neighborhood, make sure that the other homes in the neighborhood are consistent in value to what you may be purchasing.  It's always best to be one of the smaller homes in the neighborhood vs. being the largest and most expensive home in the neighborhood. 
• It is always good to check with the local police station to see if that area has any recent crime reports.  Also, it would be wise to check on line at www.meghanslaw.com to see if there are any sex offenders residing in the area.
• Check the School Ratings in the Town that you are considering buying in. Even if you do not have children in school, when it comes time to sell that home, it will be an important selling factor.

When you have found a property you are interested in, ask any and every question you can think of; no question is too big or too small. You want to make sure that there are no surprises after you close the deal and are ready to move in. Property damage repair, renovations, electrical/heating systems  and foundation – are only a few of the areas you should inquire about. Here are some of the very important questions you should always ask:

• Ask to see a copy of the Seller's Disclosure and a history of any repairs or renovations they have done.
• Ask if there have been any other offers on the property, and if so, have there been any professional inspections performed.  If there has, ask what issues may have surfaced from the inspection and have they been corrected?
• Always ask if they have had any water problems in the basement.  Telltale signs would be:  a musty odor, and in unfinished basements, it is typical to see white lines of effervescence around the foundation, if water problems persist
• If there is a separate hot water tank, always ask if the Seller owns it or is leasing it.
• Ask if there has  ever been an underground oil tank, and if so, ask to see the documentation that it was professionally removed.
• If there has recently been sewer installed in the area, and the home you are interested in currently has septic or has recently connected to the sewer, make sure you ask if there is a remaining, unpaid, sewer betterment, as you may become responsible for that remaining balance.

House hunting can be a lot of fun, if you've done your homework.  Work with a qualified agent and remember to ask the right questions!  With more and more people entering the market, and inventory scarce, it's important to act quickly.  These tips can help save you time and ultimately get you into your dream home more rapidly.  Happy Hunting!