WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN IT'S TIME FOR INSPECTION...

If you’re ready to sell or you’ve already made an offer on your dream property, congratulations! Now it’s time to get the ball rolling. One of the most important steps in the process is having your home inspected. It’s not just about identifying the problems. It’s also a learning tool about the ins and outs of the property.

The inspector will check the condition of items like: the foundation, roof, attic, basement, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and the exterior. The following is a list of things to consider and some tips when looking for the right inspector.

Do your research.          

The inspector you hire should be licensed and professional. Hiring someone from a referral from a friend or family member may not be your best option. Research online, find reviews from past customers, get recommendations and study their websites. Ask for a sample report to make sure it’s thorough. Also, make sure that the price is clear from the beginning.

Attend the inspection.

Attending your inspection isn’t mandatory, but it’s definitely a smart idea. Your real estate agent should also be there. This will take some time, but follow along as much as you can. The inspector should explain your home’s systems and give you maintenance tips. These items will also be in the final report, along with any photos.  Although inspectors are not allowed to offer advice on whether to buy or not, they can let you know how much money you will need for repairs and upgrades. Most importantly, ask questions!

Read the report.

A quick glance of the report provided will do you no good. Reports are in digital format and will state what is wrong with the house and what it will take to fix it.  As a side note, inspectors aren’t perfect and they might miss something. They only cover things they can see. Check your contract to see if they will pay for the repair of things they should have caught, but didn’t. Call the inspector if you have questions. Sometimes, it just boils down to being a homeowner. Things happen.

For sellers: prep the home.

If you know an inspector is coming, don’t force him or her to clean out your closet so they can get into a crawl space. Make sure doors are unlocked or provide keys in advance. Also, provide your phone number so they can reach you if there’s an issue. It will make the whole process a lot easier for everyone involved.

Remember, nearly 20 percent of homes have a defect that require major repair. Getting a home inspection will protect you from dishing out a lot of dough in the long run. The average home inspection costs around $300. It’s a small price to pay for a peace of mind.

Sources:

http://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/home-inspection-checklist/

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/real-estate/5-biggest-home-inspection-mistakes-1.aspx

How to select a real estate agent...
As with other professionals, when you select a real estate agent, demand high standards.  Make sure that trust and integrity are not just a spoken claim but granted by deserved reputation in the community that the real estate agent serves.  Determine if the real estate agent has established a strong record of consistently fulfilling promises and providing customer satisfaction.  Agents all have different personalities and philosophies.  Try to select one with a philosophy and personality that you find agreeable and who you can communicate with easily.

Have confidence that the person you select will be a trusted advisor.  It is imperative that you work with a real estate agent who you feel has your best interests in mind.

Select a real estate agent that you feel will have the ability to work cooperatively with sellers and other agents during the entire process of purchasing your property.

A good real estate agent can be the foundation of your real estate team.  An agent can help you find a home that meets your needs, negotiate for that home on your behalf, supervise property inspections, and coordinate the closing. Agents often have useful leads for mortgage loans.  A good agent's negotiating skills and knowledge of property values can save you thousands of dollars.

Call the United Country Kohlrus Real Estate team today 580-327-4007.  Visit our website to view the current listings and team bios, www.kohlrus.com.

TITLE INSURANCE - Is It Really Necessary...

Many of us often refer to a person who has “bought or sold” real estate. Even in newspapers we see advertised real estate for sale, yet it is only the “title” to real estate which can be bought or sold. Title is sometimes defined as the means whereby an owner is enabled to maintain or assert his possession in enjoyment of property. Another definition is that title is the evidence of right which a person has to the possession of property. As applied to the investigation of titles, the word “title” has acquired the sense of history. Therefore, searching the title, investigating the title, and giving an opinion of title all refer to the compilation and the interpretation of the history of the title, a service performed by the title company. The conclusions of his study into the history of real property are summarized on a policy of title insurance.

It should be remembered that title is synonymous with the words “right”, “interests,” “estate.” Such words are used to denote the degree, quantity, nature and extent to which a person may have an interest in real estate

An insurance policy that is written on title to real estate differs from every other form of insurance in its degree to indemnify an insured in the event of a loss by reason of a defect or flaw of title PRIOR to the date of policy. All other forms of insurance agree to indemnify the insured in the EVENT OF LOSS due to a FUTURE event and after the date of the policy

Basically, title insurance is the company’s opinion concerning the ownership and marketability of title to a particular parcel of real property. This can only be ascertained after a thorough and complete search of all the records affecting title to the parcel insured. A title company is a service organization and performs a service for those interested in buying, selling, or loaning money on real estate. When you purchase a title insurance policy, you are buying the services of experts. The company is willing to back the opinion of these experts with the additional feature of insurance.

Title insurance, in effect, insures marketable title which is, in essence, title that a prudent man, well advised as to the fact in law, would be willing to accept.

Title insurance policies, however, do not insure against several major areas which are either too difficult or too expensive to cover, including defects in title known to the insured, easements and liens not shown by the public records, interest of parties in possession, or matters requiring an accurate survey.

When dealing with real property, title of the seller cannot be assumed. We must ascertain and then be assured that what we bargain for is in fact owned by the seller. A purchaser of real property is not satisfied with assurance that he will not be dispossessed of his property or that no adverse claim may appear to harass his quiet enjoyment of the property. Every person, when purchasing real property, wants to know that he will be able to sell, lease, or mortgage the property freely. Because there are as many interests in land as there are leaves on a tree, a purchaser wants to be assured that his title to the land is marketable.

Title insurance is often required to protect the lender against loss if a flaw in title is not found by the title search made when the house is purchased. You may also get an owner’s policy to protect yourself. Also, attorneys provide title insurance as part of their services in examining title and providing a title opinion.

It is important to remember that a title insurance policy issued only to the lender does not protect you. Similarly, the policy issued to a prior owner, such as the person from whom you are purchasing the property, does not protect you. To protect yourself from loss because of a mistake made by the title searcher, or because of a legal defect which does not appear on the public records, you will need an owner’s policy. Such a mistake rarely occurs, but, when it does it can be financially devastating to the uninsured. When you buy an owner’s policy it is usually much less expensive if purchased simultaneously with a lender’s policy. In addition, if you are buying a home which has changed hands within the last several years, inquire at the title company that issued the previous title insurance about a “reissue rate” which could be a lower charge than the cost of a new policy.

http://www.kohlrus.com/buyers.htm

Visit our website today!  Helpful information awaits all buyers and sellers! 

New Listing!  Real estate for sale in Alva, OK.  316 11th Street, $27,999.  Great little fixer upper for sale in Woods County.  United County Kohlrus Real Estate is ready to serve you with all of your real estate needs. Call 580-327--4007 or visit our website at www.kohlrus.com.