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You think you've found the right home. But is it really worth what the sellers are asking?
Before you give away your hard earned money, do some thorough research.
First, ask your agent to prepare a comparable market analysis (CMA). T his is a compilation of sales prices of homes similar to
yours in the neighborhood which have recently sold.
You'll also want to check out the school district, crime statistics, and whether property values have been generally rising or
falling in the neighborhood. Visit city hall to learn about future development plans for your new neighborhood.
Next, consider location. Assess how close the home is the property to schools, your job, transportation, shopping, hospitals,
community centers, the downtown core of a major city, cultural and utilitarian services, and the airport.
All of these factors affect price, as does the square footage of the lot, the size and age of the house, the amenities it has, the
condition it is in, and how anxious the owners are to sell.
Look beyond the basics and have the property inspected. Is it in a flood plane? (Again, you can check this at city hall.) Are
there cracks in the foundation, a wet basement, environmental contaminants? Are major systems in working order? While you're
not going to hire a professional home inspector to go through the property until you've agreed on a price, you should certainly
look for major flaws.
Make sure the seller provides you with good title throu gh a staked survey and title insurance.
If you're buying new construction, check out land prices. Ask the town's land planner about current zoning requirements and
any proposals to develop nearby land. Visit the developer's unfinished and finished projects to check the quality of housing
and ask neighbors if the developer delivered all that was promised and in a timely manner. |
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 If interest rates go down, the selling price of a home may go up. Why? Simple supply and demand. More people will be
able to afford it. Consider the current interest rate when making your offer.
While living next to the train tracks or a busy street may not bother you, it may bother the person who will buy the house
from you. Before you buy, consider how difficult it may be to sell this home in five or 10 years.
Many people only want to buy homes in perfect condition. That could make a fixer-upper worthwhile financially. When you
calculate value, assess how much work needs to be done to bring the home up to the neighborhood standard, or just a bit
beyond. Subtract that from the price you think the home would be worth if all the work was already completed. Then, stick to
your guns. Don't overpay for a home that needs work.
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