10 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors
Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors:
- Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group’s standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.ashi.org or www.nahi.org. ASHI’s Web site also provides a database of state regulations.
- Do you belong to a professional home inspector association? There are many state and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately…
View original post 583 more words
Pros and Cons of Going Condo
Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:
- Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.
- Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.
- Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.
- Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not…
View original post 325 more words
What a Home Inspection Should Cover
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase.
For more information, try the virtual home inspection at www.ASHI.org, the Web site of the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.
Exterior: The inspector should look at sidewalks, driveways, steps, windows, and doors. A home’s siding, trim, and surface drainage also are part of an exterior inspection.
- Doors and windows
- Siding (brick, stone, stucco, vinyl, wood, etc.)
- Driveways/sidewalks
- Attached porches, decks, and balconies
Roofing:…
View original post 453 more words
Does Moving Up Make Sense?
These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move.
- Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.
- Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.
- Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down…
View original post 311 more words
PRICE REDUCED!!! Great location in Woodstock for Custom Home or Investment as a Duplex- $23,900
PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR BRAND NEW HOME OR GAIN IMMEDIATE RENTAL INCOME WITH A DUPLEX!
WITH HOME CONSTRUCTION ON THE RISE THIS SUMMER (http://t.co/8JxITzSvUs) HEAD INTO NEXT SPRING WITH A PLAN TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE. NOW IS A GREAT TIME! INVEST IN LAND FOR EITHER YOUR FUTURE HOME OR FOR AN INVESTEMENT OPPORTUNITY AND BUILD YOUR DUPLEX AND GAIN IMMEDIATE ACCESS FOR RENTAL INCOME!!
SELLER IS MOTIVATED AND WILLING TO FINANCE YOUR FUTURE FOR YOU!! BUILD YOUR HOME NEXT TO WOODSTOCK’S BEAUTIFUL CITY PARK SURROUNDED BY NATURAL WOODS ON 3 SIDES ON ALMOST 1/2 ACRE. SOIL TESTS APPROVED AND BE JUST BLOCKS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL AND HISTORIC WOODSTOCK SQUARE. NO BETTER TIME TO INVEST IN YOURSELF AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE RENTAL INCOME IN A SUPER STRONG RENTAL MARKET!
What is a Home Warranty?
What is a Home Warranty and what you can expect when buying a home.
A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the contract.
Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also find out if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item.
- Plumbing
- Electrical systems
- Furnace
- Water heater
- Heating ducts
- Water pump
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Stove/cooktop/ovens
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Washer/dryer
- Swimming pool (may be optional)
View original post 105 more words
Welcome to communityrealestate360.com – Spring 2015
Welcome- (Thank you for everyone’s support)
My name is Todd Couture and I am a real estate broker for Realty Executives Cornerstone. I am buying and selling real estate all throughout McHenry, Kane, Dupage, Cook, and Lake Counties. My family and I live in Huntley, IL and our offices are in Algonquin, Illinois and Crystal Lake. One of the main reasons I chose this career is to build relationships in the community in which I grew up. As of April 20th, 2015 the residential market has been more than busy. Homes are being listed and sold at an increasing rate as spring turns. I cannot tell you how much I’d love the opportunity to meet with local homeowners and future buyers to help them make that purchase or sale of a lifetime. I am partnering with Rick O’Connor, who’s been established in this market for over 30 years. My goal is working to bring our community together. If anyone is intersted in finding out how much their home is worth right now, please email or call me. If anyone is interested in going to any home buying seminars, please call me. The market right now is not where it used to be however the tide is changing. Many clients are finding great deals on rehabs and flipping as banks slowly add inventory back into the market. Interest rates are still extremely low which makes now even more appealing. If anyone is interested in having a home evaluation, please contact me directly. We have to build this community for our children and I want to help buyers and sellers in any way I can. I will go the extra mile. This is my first blog. I wanted to put myself out there everyway I know how. Allow me the chance to help change your life and your families.
- ← Previous
- 1
- …
- 12
- 13
RealtorCouture 