Assembling Your Home Buying Dream Team
It’s no secret that buying a home is usually the biggest investment you’ll ever make. It requires proper planning and exceptional execution from the time you decide to explore the possibility of buying, straight through to the closing.
With a need for financial solvency and advice from professionals who understand the importance of guiding you through this lengthy journey, you’ll want to assemble a dream team of advisors to make your new home purchase a successful one. From start to finish, here are the people you’ll need on your team:
1. Mortgage Broker. (Did you think I’d put myself last on this important list?) Let’s be honest: Before you can even think of how many bedrooms you’d prefer or which school districts are best, you need to focus on your money. Can you afford your dream home? Can you live with the terms of a mortgage that will last for decades? Is your credit good enough to move forward? Do you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about securing your mortgage? I can help answer all these questions and more.
2. Real Estate Agent. Choosing the right agent is critical to your success. You want someone who is experienced and who will always keep your needs in mind. Proven real estate agents move quickly and orchestrate many aspects of the sale. Choose a Realtor® because this designation holds them to a strict code of ethics and standard of practice.
3. Real Estate Attorney. Your mortgage broker or real estate agent should have no trouble finding an excellent attorney for your closing. Efficiency here is important. You also want an experienced attorney who will look over the many documents involved in the transaction and make sure everything is in order before you take the final steps to home ownership.
4. Home Inspector. The best home inspectors take a long hard look at your home to make sure it is structurally sound and free of household pests like termites and other destructive forces. They’ll check everything from potential roof leaks to basement mold. While your home inspector’s recommendations may slow down your purchase, you’ll want the proper repairs completed–or a significant reduction of the final cost of your home–before you sign off on the contracts.
5. Insurance Agent. Your new home must be insured against fire, theft, or other damage. Certain events are not covered, depending on where you live (flood and earthquake). If you live in an area that is determined to be a flood zone, then flood insurance becomes mandatory. Your insurance agent can put together a policy that covers everything you must have, and will suggest other options for you to choose.
There’s your team. Of course, there are others to consider, like an architect, appraiser, contractor, remodeler, painter, etc. If you are in need of any of these services, I am happy to share my own dream team with you. After many years of working with home buyers, I have assembled some of the most accomplished professionals in the business. Get in touch at 617-965-1236. I look forward to your call.
September’s Home Value Improver
The Fungus Among Us
In case you hadn’t noticed, humans are amazing beings. We have immune systems to help us fight off sickness and recover quickly if we do come down with a cold, flu or other illness. Today we’re focusing on fungus, something that is not always detectable in your home, but can lead to a variety of illnesses.
Our first fungus is called aspergillus. This is a common indoor mold that you may notice on the dying leaves of plants and herbs in your home. Left unchecked, this fungus can lead to respiratory ailments, edema, and eye-and-ear infections.
Next up: Cladosporium. This is a nasty fungus that can be found in your heating and air conditioning ducts. Exposure can cause ringworm, thrush, emphysema and bronchiospams.
Your final fungus: Stachybotrys. This one is bad news–not that the others weren’t. This fungus forms in high humidity and when conditions are ideal (or un-ideal, in this case), certain strains of Stachybotrys can be poisonous when inhaled. When humidity is high but the temperature fluctuates, a toxin can be produced that causes sore throats, headache, fatigue and more.
The best advice to combat fungus is to keep your home clean. Wipe down surfaces, check your plants carefully, clean carpets and air ducts and replace filters regularly. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, have them checked out by your doctor if they persist. Your body’s amazing immune system will fight off as much as possible, but a clean home and a visit to your doctor is the best defense from fungus-related sicknesses.