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LindaR wrote:
Know your price range (have you been pre-qualified for a loan?). Do not tell a realtor that you can not go above a certain amount. He/She will only show you houses in your max amount and may bypass a less expensive home.

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Jsgirl wrote:
I thought of something else. Ask to see the utility bills. We once bought a house in the eighties that was so unique it had been in several magazines. It was unique all right. I was built completly around a 30' by 30' atrium. The walls were all glass. Imagine the heat in that atrium here in the South. Our electric bills were $350 a month 15 years ago and we never did get that house cool. It also had the polybutylene plumbing. Advertised as the next best thing since sliced bread. Yeah right, 14 leaks in three years until we were replumbed. It was one unique house all right.

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Abra Cat wrote:


Oy! $350 a month?! Unbelievable! Assuming the sellers are as bad with record keeping as I am, and don't have the utility bills, if I called the electric company would they be able to tell me the average?

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Sirius wrote:
Be very clear about what will stay in the house. Appliances are obvious of course, but people have been known to take light fixtures etc. Other items to consider are curtains and outdoor plants/landscaping. Is it important to you that it stay? Then specify it. On the other hand, if the sellers want some things it might be ok with you. Just be clear. Also, be clear about cleaning arrangements. Are you satisfied with the owners cleaning? Do you want a service to come in? Do you want carpets cleaned or replaced? Spell everything out.

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Jsgirl wrote:
Yes, I know that you can call and get the average here. Not to sound too gross but I always like to replace the toilet seats.

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Abra Cat wrote:



People might take the trees? That's definitely something I wouldn't have thought to spell out. Thanks!

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Crank wrote:
Depending on the type of heating appliances are in the home, check their age and service records.

Typically, gas or oil appliances have a service life of 12 years. The older the appliance, the less efficient it is.

Make sure all the covers, filters, knobs, wiring etc on appliances are in their proper place. If they are askew or missing this indicates ongoing problems with the appliance.

Watch and LISTEN to these appliances work! Watch them up close and listen to them from the bedroom! Carfully inspect the condenser for the AC if so equipped. LISTEN to it work.

ALWAYS make sure you get the owners manuals for the appliances. If they've kept the manuals, you can be reasonably sure they took care with the appliance.

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fantayzya wrote:


Actually, this is something that you would have to work out with me if it were my home you were looking at. One of my other passtimes is gardening and I have several plants that were gifts or I have developed a fondness for that I would definately want to take with me if they were able to thrive where I was going. While much would stay, there are a few things that would definately be noticed if they were removed.

I know when I moved in here there was a small water garden. Sitting near it were two gorgeous heron statues. The prior owners specified in our agreement that they would also be moving. My oldest son replaced this small water garden with a new triple level larger one this past summer for me and we now have our own heron, if we move so will he, as will most if not all of my other garden statuary.

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fantayzya wrote:
He is a great son. I'm very spoiled, he makes me look like a much better mom than I probably am.

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Abra Cat wrote:


Thanks, I wouldn't have thought of that. If the realtor does ask what we can afford, do I mention a price above what we can afford, or sidestep the question, or what? Also, do you recommend using a buyer's agent?

No, we haven't been pre-qualified yet. We met with some lenders last night during our home-buying class, and we met a couple that we'll definitely be getting in touch with. Our final class is next week, so I'll probably be calling them either this week or next.

Thanks, Linda!

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Abra Cat wrote:


Oy! $350 a month?! Unbelievable! Assuming the sellers are as bad with record keeping as I am, and don't have the utility bills, if I called the electric company would they be able to tell me the average?

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Coastalwader wrote:
I think I'll jump in about a few things here at random.

First, appliances. These items are handled by whats traditional for the area. Here in TX, the washer, dryer, and fridge DO NOT stay with the house. In the contract it states what is expected to stay and what is expected to go. Then, there will be a place for the seller to list "exclusions." Lori's plants would be something that would have to be listed as an exclusion in order for her to take them. The contract will spell out how attachment to the property is determined. Get clarification on this, because it will vary from state to state. Here,all drapes and blinds are considered attached and stay unless the owner lists them as an exclusion.

Contracts. In most states, real estate contracts are promulgated by the state. In other words, each realtor won't be just typing up some half-assed agreement they like to use. Get a blank copy of your states purchase contract and look it over before you even start looking at houses. Compare it to the lists you are making and see whats covered and whats not.

In some states there are seperate contracts because of financing options. There could be an FHA contract, a VA contract and a Conventional contract. Once you choose a lender, they will tell you which one of these will most likely apply.

Some of the great advice you are getting about things to watch for could be things that are addressed in the contract. If some of these things are addressed specifically in the body of the contract, you need to be very careful about trying to address them seperately.

Typically, a contract will have an area for "special provisions". It's there to cover items that aren't covered specifically in the body of the contract. If you try to address something in special provisions that is already addressed in the contract, one might invalidate the other and you could end up screwing something up.

Ask everybody you know for a Realtor reference. Ask them if they would use that person again and why. Hopefully, you have some contacts in the area you are wanting to buy in. Someone local to the area is preferred.

Keep asking questions!

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Abra Cat wrote:
Thanks Crank, I'm adding all of that to my list. Let me ask you this though, Mr. Firedude— if we buy a house with bedrooms on an upper floor, I want to buy fire ladders for all the bedrooms, but I can't imagine either of my children (5 and 2 1/2) maneuvering one onto the ledge, much less climbing down. How can I make them safe alone in their rooms in case a fire breaks out?

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Crank wrote:


In the case of multistory houses, the first and most important is smoke alarms. Not only "have" them, but be sure everybody knows what they sound like!

If they hear the smoke alarm and see smoke they should "crawl low under the smoke" to the door. They should then feel the door for heat. If no heat is present they can carefully open the door (still crawling low under the smoke) to the stairway to check for egress.

If there is no egress via the stairway they would have no choice but to egress via a window/upstairs door.

The most important thing for your children is to make themselves SEEN. Sadly, many children are found too late because they were "hiding".

Children should be taught to never, never, NEVER be afraid of a firefighter or police officer. Some parents see fit to threaten to call one or the other if the child doesn't behave. This is a bad thing.

An excellent reference for kids is here:

http://www.fema.gov/kids/

Also, check with the Public Safety Officer for your local Fire Department. Ask them if they have an "E.D.I.T.H." Program (Exit Drill In The Home) or similar. We give hundreds of Edith instructions yearly for 1st and 2nd graders.


[Edited by Crank]

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Abra Cat wrote:
I don't know what the program was called, but my daughter's school just recently had a presentation about fire safety, and there was a portable "house" there that the kids had to crawl through to get to safety. I'm not sure she got much out of it, though (she's 5...), besides the cool hat. Thank you for the advice; I'm DEFINITELY keeping it on file! Fire scares me more than almost anything.

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Crank wrote:


One other thing you may consider is keeping a flashlight in each bedroom. One of the "rechargeables" is ideal.

Not only can they be used during power outages they can also be used to signal rescuers! Once advised, we can have a soul safely removed from an upper floor in under 45 seconds! We drill and drill and drill on this, but we HAVE to know where the souls are.

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Abra Cat wrote:
Never thought of that, thanks! Let me ask you one more fire safety question, if you don't mind. What is the best way to put out an oven fire? I had one a while ago and in my panic, sprayed the fire extinguisher in there. It occurred to me later there might have been an easier way— like turning off the oven and letting it snuff itself out. Would that have worked?

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melissathepooh wrote:
I will respond about having a buyers agent - we were hesitant to sign a contract at first, but it was the best thing we did. We read the contract carefully and would have been able to opt out at any time if we were satisfied.

After a few months of trying to find a house on our own and never being able to get to anything before a bid had already been made, we decided it was in our best interest to get a professional. Because of our buyers agent - we were able to find our house and see it a day before it was actually listed.

Things to ask about - what is the drainage situation in the yard (we found we have a little lake out back after it rains), what about animals in the neighborhood (barking issues/pet friendly?), I would also do a crime report seach based on the zip code. School disctricts may be important, where is the closest FD or PD.

Of cours you can also ask yourself so many questions you'll talk yourself right out of a house so know what your most important concerns are and what you can live with.

It may not be a concern in your area, but we got caught not thinking about the effect a GM plant would have on teh air quality of our neighborhood - the neighborhood itself is great - clean, historic, well kept, cute etc..., but when GM paints a silver car our the whole area smells like paint. We didn't know and would never have thought to ask about it - see what business are around that could have an environmental impact on your home.

Good luck and Congratulations!

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Crank wrote:


Prevention is the key. Keep the oven clean and working right with proper
and regular maintenance. Keep an ABC type extinguisher near the kitchen
exit but not immediately adjacent to the oven.

If something is burning inside the oven, use an extinguisher. If something
is burning on the rangetop, in a pot or pan, use a lid to cover the fire (to
smother) and immediately remove from heat. If something is on fire under the
burners, use a fire extinguisher.

A homeowner should only attempt to fight the fire (using an
extinguisher)under the following conditions;
1. Everyone has been warned to get out.
2. The fire department is on the way.
3. The fire is small and confined.
4. The correct extinguisher is within easy reach.
5. The user of the extinguisher's back is to an unblocked exit.

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