Thursday, December 18, 2008

Quick Home Buying Tips: Especially for you first time buyers!

Floor Plan: Homes with 3+ Bedrooms & 2+ Bathrooms build equity the fastest, no matter what the size! Houses with 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath (Toilet & Sink, No Shower/Tub) also appreciate faster than homes with only 1 Full Bathroom.

Heating Systems: Homes with central heat (Gas Forced-Air or Heat Pump) are more efficient AND more valuable. Homes with Oil Forced-Air heat are fairly efficient too and are much cheaper (relatively) to upgrade to Gas Forced-Air or a Heat Pump than other older forms of systems.

Windows: Homes built in 1994+ will have vinyl windows. Anything built before that with vinyl windows was either an option or has since been upgraded to better, vinyl, windows.

Lead-Based Paint: Homes built after 1978 will NOT have any chance of having lead-based paint on the exterior of the house. Anything built prior to 1978 could have lead-based paint but hopefully previously fixed by the owner.

Old Homes: Homes built in the 1930’s or before should have their Electrical and/or Plumbing systems checked out. More times than not homes built from these eras have already upgraded these two systems but not always.

Obviously, there are a lot more variables, facets, and concerns when it comes to finding the right house but these short tips are a very good place to start!

For more information or if you have any questions, contact me.

Kevin Schubel
RE/MAX equity group, inc
360.936.7277
Kevin.Schubel@gmail.com
KevinSchubel.com