Posts Tagged ‘home buying advice’

One of the costs of owning a home that buyers need to consider in their budgeting is the cost of insuring the home. A standard policy will cover exterior and interior damage from incidents like vandalism, fire, wind and lightning. It also covers loss of use expenses, damage to structures like sheds or gazebos, and liability and medical costs if someone is injured on your property.

Common exclusions are flood, hurricane and earthquake damage, but you may be able to buy additional coverage for these if desired or required.

Policies vary widely, but in general, homeowners insurance covers the following areas:

Your Structure – Your home itself is protected against damage from fire, wind, smoke, lightning, theft, vandalism and just about anything else that isn’t specifically excluded.

Your Possessions — Your belongings are also covered under your homeowners policy, including losses that happen away from home, for example, if your camera is stolen while on vacation. Keep an inventory everything you own so any claims can be handled accurately and efficiently. Write down serial numbers as well as the date of purchase and original cost of the items, or document on video. Keep the inventory in a fireproof safe or somewhere outside your home, where it can be accessed if your home should be destroyed.

Liability — This aspect of your homeowner’s insurance protects you against lawsuits arising from damage you, your family members or your pets may cause to other people. Liability coverage would pay not only for the actual damage, but also for the cost of defending you in court and for any court-ordered damage payments.

Replacement Cost Coverage – Your insurance would pay what it costs to replace the property with an identical or similar item. For example, if a bicycle was stolen from your garage, your insurance would pay to replace it with a new bicycle of the same or similar make and model (less your deductible).

Actual Cash Value – Your insurance would pay what it costs to replace the property with an identical or similar item, once that item has been devalued for deprecation. To continue the example above, instead of paying for a new bicycle, your insurance would give you the cash value of a used bicycle of the same make and model that was stolen (less your deductible).

Extended Replacement Cost — This type of coverage applies only to the structure of your home. Even though it has the word “replacement” in the name, you’re covered only up to set limits, which may not be enough to pay for the entire value of your home. If you want the assurance that the full replacement value of your home would be paid in the event of disaster, ask for “guaranteed replacement cost”.

If you’ve purchased a condo, or townhouse, ask your insurance agent about specific homeowner policies designed for these types of homes. You’ll want to purchase coverage above the association policy, but the additional coverage is usually very affordable.

Work with your insurance agent to determine how much and what type of coverage is right for your family and your new home. Be sure to ask what discounts may be available, such as rate reductions for smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, security systems and nonsmoking households.

After purchasing your homeowners insurance, make it a practice to review your coverage every year to be sure that it’s keeping up with increasing real estate values and any additions or improvements you may have made. Projects like building a porch or another bathroom can add significant value,  so you may need to adjust your policy if you’re planning to renovate your new home. Upgrades (like a new roof) can lead to discounts if they mitigate risks, but potentially hazardous features (like a pool) may require up to $500,000 in coverage.

It may seem costly, but protecting what’s likely the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime is worth it – and peace of mind is priceless.

Filed under: Blog, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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There is often a misconception of what a final walk through is and why it’s important.  A final walk through can sometimes be referred to as a pre-closing “inspection.”  Although you are probably excited and anxious to close on your new home, the final walk through is important and many things should checked and inspected and not overlooked.

The final walk through is NOT a home inspection.  In most cases, a buyer has had the opportunity to perform a thorough home inspection prior to finalizing the contract for purchase.  It is a common contract contingency that you should be aware of when purchasing a home. The final walk through is the time to ensure that the personal property items that were agreed to be included in the sale, are still present, that the condition of the home is substantively the same or better than the day you went under contract, check the functionality of the home’s features, and that any agreed to repairs have been made to your satisfaction.

Oftentimes, buyers negotiate sale terms to keep new appliances, light fixtures, window treatments and other installations as part of their purchases agreements. Bring your contract to purchase with you and begin your walk-through by confirming all agreed upon features are still present and in the same condition as the time of inspection.

When homes are transferred from a seller to a buyer, they are supposed to be in “broom-clean condition.”  The term “broom-clean” is a very vague, as it can mean one thing to the buyer and a different to the seller.  If there is garbage, boxes in the attic, old paint in the garage, or personal belongings from the seller in the storage areas or in the home, they should be removed by the seller at their expense prior to closing.  It is not the responsibility of the buyers to remove or dispose of the seller’s possessions that were not specifically identified as personality that was to stay with the property.

When a seller’s furniture is moved out, it’s much easier for buyers to recognize damages they may have overlooked during their initial inspections. Review surfaces, ceilings, walls and floors for any new damages such as scratched or soiled flooring and carpet, look for water damage, and cracked windows and walls.

Possibly the most important part of the final walk through is to complete a checklist of the home.  Your real estateagent should supply you with a thorough checklist and assist you with the walk-through.  The checklist should include, but not be limited to the following:

•   Check gas features, including fireplace inserts, stove and oven

•   Does the fireplace turn on with the switch

•   Do the burners warm when lit

•   Does the oven heat properly

•   Flip switches on the garbage disposal

•   Check all ceiling fans

•   Ensure the exhaust fans work properly

•   Check the AC and heat thermostats

•   Open the refrigerator; is it cool and cleaned out. Is the icemaker making ice?

•   Turn knobs on each faucet to test the handles work

•   Is the water warm indicating the water heater is functioning correctly

•   Is there proper drainage down each drain

•   Look below each sink for moisture or leaks

•   Flush each toilet and ensure they fill back up with water instead of running or leaking

•   Peer around bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms for water damage

•   Check along flooring or base molding and spot any indicators of mildew or mold

•   Walk around the entire home testing each light switch

•   Are all switch covers present

•   Open and close every window

•   Make sure the windows and doors lock shut properly

•   If screens and storm windows are expected, account for each before moving to the next window.  If there are hurricane shutters that remain with the house make sure they are all in place.

•  Test to make sure the pool pump is running

•   Is the landscaping in good shape, has the grass been watered?

•   Check the garage door openers and try each control

•   Ring the doorbell

•   If an alarm system is included in the purchase agreement, test entry and disengagement

•   If the property has a sprinkler system, start it to make sure it’s functioning

•   Look at the exterior siding, roofing, chimney, or any other exterior features that the home may have.  If there has been severe weather recently this is extra important, as it’s not uncommon for roof shingles or siding to be damaged.

•   If there were items that were agreed upon between the buyer and seller to be repaired or fixed, make sure they have been completed.  A good buyers real estate agent should ask for receipts or records from any repairs that were agreed upon.

•   Look for owner’s manuals to accompany all appliances and remote controls for ceiling fans, lighting, sound systems or any other features.

Buyers agents can require sellers to meet the terms of the purchase agreement prior to closing or renegotiate new terms to cover costs of repairing any missing features or damages found during the final walk-through. This is often accomplished in conjunction with the buyer’s attorney.  If there are problems that arise from the final walk through, it’s important to address them quickly.  The final walk-through is the last chance for buyers to critically review properties before signing closing paperwork. Buyers who use the opportunity wisely tend to have the highest probability of buyer satisfaction

Filed under: Blog, Florida Real Estate, Home Buyers, Kim Around the Web, western north carolina real estate by Kim Bregman
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