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Make sure you get a Professional Home Inspection with any home you try to buy
A professional inspection will make sure you understand the exect condition your new home and any repair bills you might
be facing in the next few years. Don't panic on issues that are found. All houses have some issues, however that's what
home warranties are for.
We're building a new home, do we need an inspection?
Yes, absolutley. One individual bought a new home that passed city inspections and when it was sold two years later there
was a major problem with a roof support beam that was constructed wrong in the first place and the seller had to get it
fixed prior to selling their home. A few dollars now can save a big headache later.
What if you need to sell your home before you buy the one you just found?
Most sellers will not want to sign a sales contract with a contingincy on you selling your home, however, you may write up
a contract that allows the seller to continue trying to sell their home but gives you the right of refusal. This means if
they get another offer on their home, you will be given the chance to match the offer and buy the house before the new buyer.
Alternativly, you could put a fairly substantial non-refundable deposit on the property. This might get the sellers to take
their home off the market while you sell your home.
When viewing a home, be respectful of the owners
Try to avoid criticizing the house with comments like 'These walls are hideous, we'll have to repaint before moving in'.
These kinds of comments will usually not justify a lower price but very well may insult the owners and cause them to not
be willing to work with you on negotiating an offer on their home.
Sellers won't negotiate on price
This can be a tough one. You have to decide if you think the house is worth what they are asking and you are willing to
pay that amount. If not then walk away, you never know the buyers may contact you and come down a bit (or they may not)
Either way make sure that your contract contingent on the property appraising for the lending for at least the selling price.
Get a Final Walk Thru
Get in your contract the right to walk thru the house after the sellers have moved out (but before closing) to make sure
something major isn't broken or some new issue doesn't crop up. It's easier to get sellers to pay for repairs prior to
closing than after.
Review the Sellers Disclosure
Review this before you make an offer. The seller is legally bound to provide this and be truthful in reporting the
condition of their home. This disclosure is a legal requirement for single family home sales in Texas.
Don't give the sellers a long time to respond to your offer
Put a deadline on your offer (two or three days is plenty) to make sure that the sellers don't shop your offer around to
other potential buyers. However be reasonable about your deadline, try to avoid Sundays, Holidays and keep the time at a
resonable hour, unless you want to we awaken at 11:59pm for them to accept.
Nothing counts unless it's in writing
Make sure all changes and agreed terms are in writing. Normally in Texas anything attached to the walls stay (drapes but not
pictures) and in the Kitchen the Refrigerator, Clothes Washers and Dryers do not stay. So if you want that big refrigerator, you
may need to pay a bit extra and request it stays.
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