Here are 9 things that no first-time home buyer should have to deal with in the first couple years of homeownership:

  1. Frozen pipes
  2. Total roof replacement
  3. House fire
  4. Major construction in the areas surrounding the property for more than 2 years consecutively
  5. Major ice dams on the roof
  6. Flooding in the basement
  7. Unruly neighbors
  8. Non-disclosure of major issues by seller
  9. Health code violations

Here’s how to prevent situations like above (some or all) from taking over your life:

  • Have an inspection!!!  It is foolish not to have an inspection.  Your view of the potential property will change drastically, I pretty much guarantee it.  You will probably save the cost of the inspection just from the helpful tips you receive from the inspector alone.  Also, make sure you are present for the inspection for this reason.
  • Take your time prior to writing your offer.  Make sure you have all the facts PRIOR to sitting down with your agent to write an offer.  Remember how big of an investment this is, and you don’t want to have regrets.
  • Drive around the property.  Walk around the streets.  Check it out on google maps, aerial.  Talk to the town for known future development.  I know you think that if there’s something major going to happen that the seller will know, but usually, folks will claim ignorance, and even if it is known that there was some serious non-disclosure, do you want to put yourself in that position to have to go after somebody?
  • If it is a public building as defined by vt laws, clearly spell out in the contract that the seller is to carry out fire and safety inspections and that the property is to pass these prior to closing.  Trust me on this.

Especially for somebody who has not owned a property before, try to be more prudent than you naturally are inclined.  This holds especially true for folks that know how to work on things and are handy, because being one of these people myself, the COST (both in time lost with family and materials) of fixing a place up is TREMENDOUS!

Give me a call, I will keep you from being “up the creek without a paddle”!