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Are You Scaring The Seller?

If you are buying a home, then you might be surprised to learn that you could actually scare your seller! Right now in Tampa, it’s a seller’s market. That means you are likely to run into competition and bidding wars if you’re purchasing a home. This also means you have to make quick decisions if you find a home you like. However, there are a few things you could do that would scare a seller and make them want to choose someone else to sell their house to. Here are three thing you definitely don’t want to do!

You aren’t pre-approved for a mortgage

The best thing you can do for yourself is get your finances aligned. This will allow you to make a purchasing decision much more quickly. If the seller has to make a decision between you and another interested buyer, and one of you don’t have your finances in order, the other purchaser is going to win that one.

Too many home repair requests

Searching for a new build is the closest you will come to a home that doesn’t need any repairs. And even then, it could still need some. So you have to understand and accept that the home you purchase will need some repairs. If the repairs are minor, we recommend you consider taking care of them yourself. If the repair is major, then you should include the repair in your request to the homeowner or in the contract of the sale. But keep in mind, too many repair requests is likely to scare off a seller.

Discussing changing the home in front of the seller

This happens all the time! It’s so common and yet many home buyers don’t even realize they are doing it. You need to remember that the seller has likely put their heart and style into the home. Especially if they’ve lived in the house for a very long time. When you start discussing tearing down walls and major remodels, you can actually scare the seller out of the sale! Be mindful when you are around them and when you are discussing making changes to what is still their home.

We hope these tips are helpful as you search for your new home. Keep in mind, one of the most important decisions you make before completing the purchase is hiring a home inspector! Don’t make any final decisions without having your home inspected first. You can schedule your inspection right here on our website.

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Top Technology Trends In Real Estate: Look Out

Technology expands across all industries, and real estate is no inspection. In fact, technology is making significant impacts on the real estate market. Here are some of the top technology trends in real estate to look out for in 2018!

Remote Home Control

Have you seen the new Samsung ad for the fridge that connects to your phone? One person can be at home writing things directly on the fridge door and you will receive that message directly on your phone! Now that is impressive technology. New equipment like this is making universal home control a standard in new homes. Managing lights, locks, even A/C vents from your phone or iPad will become a common practice.

The Use of Drones

The use of drones in real estate is already gaining in popularity. Home inspectors are using them in their home inspections. Real estate agents are using them to generate videos for a listing. The list goes on. Drones give a dramatic and effective experience of seeing a home, without actually seeing it. This technology is truly fantastic and will only increase in usefulness in the real estate industry.

Smart Systems throughout the Home

Similar to a universal home system, homebuyers today are also looking for smart home systems throughout the home. These include smart thermostats that self-control to optimize energy efficiency. Another would be a smart water system. These systems control aspects such as determining exactly how much water needs to be used to water your grass or will automatically turn off when it rains. The goal of smart systems is to become the most energy efficient on the most automatic scale possible.

These are just three of many emerging patterns and desires in today’s homebuyers. As a home inspector, we love to implement technology where we can. Anything to improve our home inspections. We use infrared lights to detect water leaks or water damage. We also use a pool leak detector to examine the state of the pool. If you need a home inspection be sure to give us a call or you can schedule your home inspection right here on our website!

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5 Questions Every Home Buyer Should Ask About Home Inspections

Home inspections tend to come with a variety of questions. New home buyers might find themselves feeling nervous or anxious about their home inspection. Here are five questions you can ask to help ease any uneasy feelings you might have.

Who should choose your home inspector?

Will you rely on your real estate agent to choose your inspector? Should you ask for multiple referrals? All of these are good options but no matter what referral you receive you should always do your own research. Look at reviews, check out their website, and don’t be afraid to call to shop around.

What is the most important thing a client can do?

The biggest mistake you can make is not showing up for your home inspection. Sometimes you may need to let the homeowner know you will be attending the inspection, but they should also expect you to. Being at the inspection gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about findings from the inspection.

What if the inspector misses something

A good inspection will check everything in and around the home. You can always ask your inspector about their procedures if something is later found that was missed during the inspection. If you discover something after you move in, the first person you want to call is your home inspector.

What happens if a major issue is found?

Most home buyers are worried about their inspection because they are worried about the inspector finding a major issue. However, even if a major issue is uncovered it doesn’t specifically mean the sale is thrown. You would rather know about a big issue before you complete the purchase. More than likely, you will be able to work out a deal with the homeowner.

What if something happens to a house between inspection and closing?

Something happening to the house between an inspection and closing is a rare occurrence. However, most sales contracts require the homeowner to keep the home in the same condition it was as the day of the inspection. So this means if something does go wrong, it will be the seller’s responsibility to fix it. You will have a chance on your final walk through of the home to make sure everything is as promised.

We hope these questions will help to ease your anxiousness as you go through the process of purchasing your home. We are always willing to answer any questions you might have or provide support during our inspections. You can schedule your inspection with us on line right here on our website.