Read the Property Disclosure Before Making an Offer!
If you are considering the purchase of a specific house, it’s best to review the seller’s property disclosure before making an offer. While some disclosures may not be a wealth of information, usually disclosures provide pertinent facts that could impact what you are willing to spend on buying a home. For example, if the water heater is 18 years old, you need to be aware that it will need to be replaced in the near future. Looking at the age of the systems and the roof will help determine if you will be facing costly replacements sooner rather than later. Check when the septic tank was last pumped. If it hasn’t been pumped within the last 3-5 years, it could be a red flag. Is the property located in a flood zone? Flood insurance will be an additional expense to factor in your payments. Reading carefully through the disclosure could provide valuable insight into future costs. Ask questions and get clarification if something doesn’t look quite right. Obviously a home inspection will be the best tool for gauging the condition of a home. However, thoroughly reading the disclosure ahead of time could prevent unwelcome surprises. Contact me to work with a buyer’s agent who will help you make the right buying decisions. 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com