Is it your Dream House? |
Slow down before that dream house turns into a money nightmare!
You’ve found the perfect home. It’s in the right neighborhood, in the right school district, has the right color kitchen cabinets and the right color bathroom tile.
But have your emotions outweighed your rationalisms?
I remember I was in a technology class and 11 years old. Our project was to build a bridge that would support the most weight from the center of the bridge. We were split into teams and given 600 tooth picks and an unlimited amount of glue. Go! The teacher said and we were off and building. After the bridges were completed, we marveled at the variety of bridges that were created. We ranked the bridges by which one we felt would hold the most weight. Susie’s bridge was voted as most likely to hold the most weight. Susie’s bridge was “pretty.” It was constructed to look like one would picture a bridge to look like. It had supports on both sides, railings, and a flat level path down the middle.
So did the bridge voted most likely to hold the most weight win?
No. The bridge crumbled after only a small amount of weight.
Why did the classmates vote wrong?
The classmates that voted with their “gut feelings” were swayed by the looks of the bridge and did not overlook the bridge cosmetics. They did not look at the components that held the bridge together. In fact, the bridge that held the most weight, looked nothing like a bridge, but more like a series of triangular shapes that spanned the length of a bridge.
What does using “gut feelings” have to do with a home purchase?
When buying your new home, it is difficult to separate the emotional reasons from the rational reasons. Colors, carpet, cabinets, bathrooms can all be just what you were looking for. But, if the electrical system is out-of-date, if the plumbing leaks, if the roof is old, if things don’t work—is the house still what you think it is?
What can I do to make sure I know what I’m buying?
Hire an impartial, unbiased, rational home inspector to inspect your home prior to purchase. Make sure the inspector is state licensed and that the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Make sure that the home inspection report is an educational report that is easy to read and understand. Make sure that you can contact the inspector anytime after the inspection to ask questions or get advice.
If you haven’t done so already: Give us a Call today!
