You have finally found the perfect house and you’re ready to move in. You excitedly sign your final documents, get your keys, and head home as fast as you can. But before you do that, there are a few things you should remember to do before closing on your home. To be an informed homebuyer is not only wise but also necessary. Unfortunately, many people rush into purchasing their dream houses without knowing about the downside of signing too quickly. When buying a house for the first time or moving from one property to another, there are lots of things that need to be done before handing over the final check. Luckily, this article will help you see what’s coming so that you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after moving day has arrived. If you keep reading, we’ll tell you everything you need to know before they hand over the final check in order to make this process stress-free and smooth –
Table Of Contents
Check the property and its condition
Before closing on the house, you’ll have the chance to look at it inside and out. You may even have a few days to inspect it if the contract permits. This is your chance to make sure that everything is the way it’s supposed to be. First, you should examine the exterior of the house to make sure there are no damages, missing shingles, or other issues. Next, check out the interior as well to make sure everything is in good condition. You should also check if there are any major issues such as bad electrical wiring or plumbing. You should also make sure that everything is in working condition, including the HVAC system, appliances, and anything else that comes with the house.
Run a title search
Before you make an offer on the property, you should run a title search to see if there are any outstanding liens against the property. A title search will show you if there are any open mortgages, judgments against the seller, or any other liens on the property. This will give you peace of mind by knowing what you’re getting into. Plus, it prevents you from getting stuck with a property that you can’t afford. A title search can be done by an attorney or online title companies such as TitleMax. You can also check the public records of the county where the property is located.
Pay for an independent inspection
An inspection can reveal any issues with the house so that you can ask the seller to fix them or lower the price of the house. You can hire an independent inspector to conduct an inspection of the property’s major systems and report any issues. This can give you leverage in negotiations to ask for a lower price if the seller refuses to repair the issues. If you want to be thorough, you should hire a termite inspector as well. You should also check the roof for any damage.
Record any existing repairs now
If you notice any repairs that need to be done, it’s best if you write them down now. If there is a problem with the property, it will be easier to negotiate a lower price if the issues are recorded. A written list of issues can also help you keep track of what needs to be repaired. It’s also helpful if you end up being in a situation where you need to contact a contractor to repair something. Once you’ve recorded the issues, you can ask the seller to fix the damage or lower the price of the house. If the seller refuses, you can use the written list to negotiate a lower price.
Walk through with the inspector
Even if you didn’t hire an inspector, you should walk through the house with the seller or their agent to make sure there are no undisclosed issues. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the property. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask for a lower price if there are any major issues. If there are issues, make sure they are written down and brought up during negotiations. This will help you get a lower price if the seller refuses to repair anything.
Bottom line
Buying a house is a huge decision, and it can feel like there is a lot to do before the closing. A closing agent can help with the information you need to know before the closing to make things go smoother. Before you close on the house, make sure to check the property and its condition, run a title search, pay for an independent inspection, record any existing repairs now, and walk through with the inspector to make sure there are no undisclosed issues. With these tasks out of the way, you’ll be much better equipped to negotiate a lower price if the seller refuses to repair anything.
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