Four Unexpected and Expensive Things That Can Happen to Your Home

House

Remodeled House

Before you jump in and buy what looks like a dream house, you need to have it inspected. Let’s say that you bought the house in an auction as is. You still need to get it inspected and you’d better have some hefty savings. As any of you who saw the movie “The Money Pit” know, buying a fixer-upper can get more and more expensive as you go.

There are four problems that are some of the most expensive to fix. Do you know what they are?

1. Let’s start with how firm the foundation. If it isn’t firm, you can have basement walls that bow, wall and floor cracks or a tilting chimney.

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What does your dream home look like?

Picture of the "Gingerbread House" i...

Gingerbread House

Times may be tough, but thinking about a dream home is always free.

What do you love in a home? When you watch television do you look at the outsides of homes and see how things are painted and laid out on the insides? If you could have your dream home today, would it be Victoria Gingerbread or Early America? Perhaps you like the simple lines of Danish Modern and Bauer House. When you watch TV do you look at the furniture, carpets, and what is hanging on the wall? Do find yourself thinking that you have just seen the perfect kitchen, a soothing bedroom or maybe a quirky bathroom?

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3 Remodel Tips That Won’t Break Your Piggy Bank

bathroom remodel

If you have been searching for a new home here in Lake or Sonoma County, it is likely that you will have dreamy thoughts of remodeling upon your move-in date. In fact, making alterations could be a determining factor in your allocation for a down payment and closing costs. I mean redesigning a kitchen, bathroom or even a backyard is part of the fun and sometimes the challenge of home ownership. Even if you have a remodel budget saved from recycling aluminum cans and your only construction expertise is building lego sets with the kids – have no fear. Sometimes the only limitation for an elegant new space in your humble abode happens to be your imagination. Here are a great few tips for new homeowners who just need a little inspiration and places to look for it.

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Get an Inspection to Avoid Buying a Lemon

Olive Hill, KY, June 2, 2010 -- FEMA Mitigatio...

Image via Wikipedia

You have found the home that you think is perfect. You know you are in love with it. You are so ready to close the deal.

But wait!

Before you close the deal you really need to make sure you aren’t picking a lemon. Now it’s time to get a home inspector involved. Back in the day it was not heard of in the home market to have a home inspection. If a person loved the house, like you do, he or she depended on that good feeling and what the real estate agent said. Now the process is different. Most real estate purchase contracts give you the right to order one or more professional inspections before you close.

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Foreclosure—What’s True and What’s Not

Half million dollar house in Salinas, Californ...

Foreclosure

With so many people going into foreclosure in these past few years, a lot of misinformation, fraud, rumors, speculation, conjecture and ignorance have latched onto people like grass burrs. What is true and what is not?

One of the nation’s largest home loan investors, Freddy Mac, initially charged with expanding opportunities for home ownership, is now focusing on the needs of people to become financial stable again. Freddy Mac is also working on myth busting, to help people know the truth. It offers “Top Foreclosure Myths” and the truth behind what is and isn’t true.

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Choosing Not to Get an Inspection

Real Estate = Big Money

Image by thinkpanama via Flickr

Back in the day people didn’t use home inspectors before they purchased their home. Then when they found out all the problems that hadn’t been obvious, they were stuck.

In an article by Marcie Geffner entitled “Goodbye Inspection, Hello Trouble,” dated Jan. 2, 2011 in the Official Site of the National Association of Realtors, Marcie talks about one of the strange things that happens in a hot real estate market, like in San Francisco, considered one of the nation’s hot real estate markets.

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Understanding Closing Costs

Sea Level

Image by Let Ideas Compete via Flickr

Is this the first time you are buying a home of your own? Do you know that the price you agreed to on the house is not all you will have to pay to close? Here are some of the other costs that you need to factor in. Some of these you will be able to choose a vendor and lower the cost. Others are what they are.

The good news is that your lender and real estate agent will be able to give you a “good-faith estimate” of your expected settlement costs so you are not taken by surprise.

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How Do You Get the Home of Your Dreams?

Lot of houses for sale due to mortgage crisis,...

Image via Wikipedia

Drive around in any subdivision and you will see homes on sale.

They may be fixer-uppers or look great on the outside. You are interested, but you aren’t exactly sure what you want. Before you take up a realtor’s time, you and who you will be sharing the space with need to sit down and think about what you would like.

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What Happens When Foreclosure Happens?

Sign of the times - Foreclosure

There is no winner in a foreclosure.

The downturn in the economy may be easing, but it might be too late for some homeowners. There have been thousands of foreclosures in the US in the last few years. Many people still own their homes, but are struggling to avoid foreclosure.

Do you know the complete impact of defaulting on your loan? Can you prevent this?

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