When buying a home you should get your own agent to represent you. It is not wise to use the agent who has the home listed. Why? Easy, it is a major conflict of interest because the agent already has signed a contract to protect the best interest of the seller. This means you can use the listing agent if you prefer; however it would be equal to going through a divorce and sharing a lawyer with your soon to be X spouse, probably not something you would want to take a chance of doing. You need an agent that is individually committed to you and only you. Does this cost more? No! The seller has already signed a contract to pay a certain percentage to real estate fees, long before you even had any knowledge that the home was even for sale. As a buyer you only lose if you do not seek an agent to assist you in your search of your next home, and to represent you during closing. We hope this information has been helpful to you, and We hope it is useful for your friends and family also.
Maryville TN Real Estate
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Saturday, December 22, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Invest in a Home Inspection
Buying a home can be one of the most important financial investments you will ever make. But, how do you know if the house is everything it appears to be? If the home you are about to purchase does not have the structural integrity to give you peace of mind, you may be buying into a money pit and sleepless nights. A home inspection is one of the smartest ways to educate yourself about the physical condition of a property you want to buy.
A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure and mechanical condition of a home, from roof to foundation. The inspection is designed to identify problems that may exist, advise of repairs needed and, in some cases, provide preventive maintenance advice. A home inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.
A home inspector may be a residential architect, structural engineer or building contractor. Currently, home inspectors are not regulated by any federal government agencies, and in most states, do not require licensing. However, structural engineers must be licensed.
It is up to the buyer to ask prospective inspectors questions about their experience and knowledge when deciding who to hire. When looking for a home inspector, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following general guidelines:
Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Check with the Better Business Bureau or your consumer protection division if you have questions.
Look for someone who is familiar with the type of home to be inspected. Does the inspector specialize in residential or commercial property?
Ask prospective inspectors questions about their professional training, relevant experience and/or length of time in business. Find out if the inspector belongs to a professional association, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Society of Professional Engineers. Membership in professional associations may offer added assurance of an inspector's qualifications and training.
Look for home inspectors who are committed to avoiding conflicts of interest, who refuse to be involved in any real estate transaction or to deliberately obtain work in another field that could benefit them financially as a result of their inspection work, and who hold the safety, health and welfare of the public paramount in the performance of their professional inspection duties.
Be present during the inspection. The majority of inspectors will allow you to tour the home with them and ask questions during or after the inspection. The inspection can last anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the size of the house. Ask how soon after the inspection will you receive a copy of the home inspection final, written report. Carefully read your home inspection report and make a list of items that need correction; this will help you to determine your future expenditures for repairs and maintenance. The report will contain useful information that serves as a reference for you in the future. A home can not fail an inspection; understand that the home inspection report records the condition of the home, both positives and negatives.
Maryville TN Real Estate
Search Listings in and around Maryville TN!
A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure and mechanical condition of a home, from roof to foundation. The inspection is designed to identify problems that may exist, advise of repairs needed and, in some cases, provide preventive maintenance advice. A home inspection points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.
A home inspector may be a residential architect, structural engineer or building contractor. Currently, home inspectors are not regulated by any federal government agencies, and in most states, do not require licensing. However, structural engineers must be licensed.
It is up to the buyer to ask prospective inspectors questions about their experience and knowledge when deciding who to hire. When looking for a home inspector, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following general guidelines:
Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Check with the Better Business Bureau or your consumer protection division if you have questions.
Look for someone who is familiar with the type of home to be inspected. Does the inspector specialize in residential or commercial property?
Ask prospective inspectors questions about their professional training, relevant experience and/or length of time in business. Find out if the inspector belongs to a professional association, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Society of Professional Engineers. Membership in professional associations may offer added assurance of an inspector's qualifications and training.
Look for home inspectors who are committed to avoiding conflicts of interest, who refuse to be involved in any real estate transaction or to deliberately obtain work in another field that could benefit them financially as a result of their inspection work, and who hold the safety, health and welfare of the public paramount in the performance of their professional inspection duties.
Be present during the inspection. The majority of inspectors will allow you to tour the home with them and ask questions during or after the inspection. The inspection can last anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the size of the house. Ask how soon after the inspection will you receive a copy of the home inspection final, written report. Carefully read your home inspection report and make a list of items that need correction; this will help you to determine your future expenditures for repairs and maintenance. The report will contain useful information that serves as a reference for you in the future. A home can not fail an inspection; understand that the home inspection report records the condition of the home, both positives and negatives.
Maryville TN Real Estate
Search Listings in and around Maryville TN!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Holiday driving - facts, figures and tips
Road crashes occur in high numbers over the Christmas-New Year period for several reasons:
traffic volume is heavier – more vehicles on the road means more risk of crashes
many people are driving on unfamiliar roads
fatigue sets in with people driving long hours – often early morning or late evening
driving can be stressful and frustrating due to heat, traffic jams, noisy children, family tensions and general end-of-year tiredness
people on holiday can let down their guard when it comes to road safety - ie driving too fast, not wearing a safety belt
there is an increased incidence of drink-driving during holiday periods.
But driving during the holidays doesn't have to be stressful or dangerous if you take a little time to make sure that you and your vehicle are safe before hitting the road. Plan ahead, schedule rest stops and allow plenty of time – make the journey part of the holiday.
Maryville TN Real Estate
traffic volume is heavier – more vehicles on the road means more risk of crashes
many people are driving on unfamiliar roads
fatigue sets in with people driving long hours – often early morning or late evening
driving can be stressful and frustrating due to heat, traffic jams, noisy children, family tensions and general end-of-year tiredness
people on holiday can let down their guard when it comes to road safety - ie driving too fast, not wearing a safety belt
there is an increased incidence of drink-driving during holiday periods.
But driving during the holidays doesn't have to be stressful or dangerous if you take a little time to make sure that you and your vehicle are safe before hitting the road. Plan ahead, schedule rest stops and allow plenty of time – make the journey part of the holiday.
Maryville TN Real Estate
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Save Money and Time
I recently changed my 30 year mortgage to a 22 year mortgage, by reading a letter from my current lender about paying every two weeks, instead of monthly. I had no idea the benefits of doing this. I save around thirty thousand dollars in the long run in interest payments and knocked off 8 years from my current 30 year note. That is the only letter that I was happy to receive from the lender. I have never heard of this before, but it worked out great for my family.
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