What to Expect at Your Home Inspection – Part Two

 

One of the most important elements of the Cincinnati home buying experience, and perhaps the most stress inducing portion of the process, is the home inspection.  In Part One of this series, I shared with you this thought: Just because the inspector wrote down a “problem”, that doesn’t make it so. Some “problems” are nothing more than items that can be fixed with a screw driver or by pushing the re-set button on the GFCI outlet. An inspection report that lists 5 or 6 of these types of “problems” nearly inevitably causes a nervous home buyer to doubt his purchase decision. Look objectively at the report. Dirty gas fireplaces can be easily cleaned by a homeowner. Smoke detectors can be installed after you move in. Wobbly banisters serve no real threat to your health. Just get out the screwdriver. Read more

Tips for Hiring a Home Inspector

Most of us only need a home inspector a few times in our life.  If you moved here from across the country, the inspector who did a great job for you last purchase, is obviously not available to assist this time. I will be glad to provide you with names of inspectors with a good reputation in the industry, for fair and accurate reporting.  Ask your friends, co-workers, and family for referrals and recommendations.  Then take a few minutes to make a couple of calls. The decision is ultimately yours. Read more

Does the play set stay? What about the shed?

When I’m touring homes with home buyers, or sitting at the table signing listing documents with the seller, questions often arise about what items stay with the home, and what items can go with the seller to their new residence. The mirrors? The oven? What about the shed and wooden play set out back?
When “what stays” or “what goes” is misunderstood between buyer and seller, the results of that misunderstanding  can be stressful, uncomfortable, and well, just plain ugly. Read more

Timeline for Buying a Home

So the apartment life is getting you down. The rent is rising and the walls are closing in. Interest rates, as long as they are single digit, are still looking good. Your brother just bought his first home and won’t stop talking about it. It’s time to take the plunge. Read more

To Determine a Home’s Value, Scoot Away from the Keyboard & Just ask Your Realtor

The popularity of zillow.com and other home valuation web sites, including auditor’s sites and realtor.com, has raised a new issue of what data is reliable when determining a home’s market value. Read more