|
Este folleto presenta una comprension basica del processo de comprar una casa, y avisos para el vendedor. El enfasis primero es en la descripcion del reporte de la inspeccion de la casa. Va a la pagina arriba.
For RE Investors
A page directed towards real estate investors, by providing them with news and topics. The articles here can be for anyone attempting a remodel or wondering about if a repair is needed. I am still adding topics to this page.
MostFrequentlyAsked Questions
To those of you who have contacted me with questions, I hope that I have been of service to you. Through my blogs and this site, I have tried to answer many of those same queries, so I noticed that the search terms people are using deal with many of the same issues. Below are the questions which keep coming up, so I am leaving them on this page.
1. Signs that a house is settling- foundation worries plague many. My best description as what to look for would be on the For RE Investors page. There is a section on foundations which can help you. After any building has been constructed, the framing members will readjust with the weight of the roof and wall coverings. Wood can also continue to dry out once used for the frame. This weight and drying process will cause some shrinkage, and this probably does not indicate a foundation problem.
2. Can I negotiate for the seller to make all of the repairs mentioned in my inspection report? First, I want to mention that no house is perfect, even newly constructed ones. An inspection report is produced to make you aware of the problems in your future home. There is no requirement that a seller has to fix anything. If you really feel that the seller should either come down in price or make a repair, then you need to discuss the terms of the sale with him to see if you can come to an agreement. Realtors will do this for you, so be upfront about your wishes, and listen to what they have to say. If you are going in with the attitude that you are going to make the seller repair his home, you may not be able to buy the home. The seller could always refuse to sell to you.
3. Can you use a retirement account, like a 401k, 403b, or IRA, to purchase a home? I wrote a post about this for my blog, because this question was coming up so often this past month. You have to make your own decision, but I think it is a bad idea to use these funds. You will face a high tax if you remove the funds, as well as hurting your retirement savings. You may be able to borrow against this money with better results, but I think that you should create a separate savings for a home.
4. GFCI questions:
GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interruptor. It is a safety device to prevent electrocution when a device , like a hair dryer, falls into water.
Outlets are usually put upside down to indicate that they are controlled by a switch. Otherwise, someone just installed it wrong.
If the outlet is vibrating, there is a problem. No outlet should be loose, but I cannot be sure why it would be vibrating without more information.
5. How far down should I hang pendant lights? There is no set distance. Building codes do not specify a specific height. You have to judge for yourself as to what is safe. Will someone hit their heads on the fixture when they stand up or walk by it?
6. When do I need a building permit? Most remodeling is done without ever obtaining a building permit, but they may have needed one. Repairs or upgrades around the house, like a new faucet or door handle, do not need a permit. When you are changing the structure of the house, you will need a permit. Many major repairs where you will need to update the system to current codes, like the service panel mentioned above will require a permit. Since you will not be doing such repairs on your own, the contractor can tell you if a permit is needed.
7. What is an anti-siphon device, and do I need one? This is a mechanism that prevents water from flowing back into its source. It is a safety measure, so that polluted water will not flow back into your drinking water. You will find these on exterior faucets (called hose bibs) or on a dishwasher. It is a one way valve. For the dishwasher, you could have a high loop, which means that the drainage line loops up so standing water cannot flow back.
8. Will my insurance cover the cost of repairs to underground broken pipes? Maybe. Most insurance policies will not cover these pipes, or at least the damage caused by the water from these pipes. When buying insurance, you need to ask about the coverages concerning burst pipes. Each insurer will handle this differently, so you cannot assume because one policy covers it, that a quote from another firm will.
9. Where can I get nice, cheap furniture? How can I decorate my home? I write some tips on home staging for sellers. I am not a decorator, and I am not frequently in the market for furniture, so I am not sure why people would come to me. I think that the most reasonably priced furniture in Houston would be at Southwest Surplus, at 630 West 17th Street. They purchase the furnishings from hotels and businesses when those firms are updating their look. You can re-upholster the items that you find there to give it your own look. I go to craft supply stores to find items to make my own decorations.
10. What is a foreclosure inspection? Who is a foreclosure inspector? I thought that it would be good to define these terms. A foreclosure inspection is performed at the behest of the lender foreclosing on a property. This is done to see what is the condition of the house. A foreclosure inspector is the inspector who performs this task. If you are buying a foreclosure, any home inspector can assist you. I have been inspecting many foreclosures of late, so I have been called a foreclosure inspector, but that is not correct.
| 
