| Buying a house is a major financial and legal process | | | | • Contractors |
| that typically encompasses a wide range of smaller | | | | Contractors are the ones you’ll call to actually |
| transactions along the way. A single real estate sale | | | | get repair cost estimates and do the work. Folks |
| – no matter how simple – will usually | | | | such as house painters, carpenters, landscapers, and |
| involve a smorgasbord of different specialties, | | | | plumbers can help you estimate how much to |
| professions, and areas of expertise, not to mention | | | | negotiate with the seller for repairs, and they can |
| the potential for myriad emotional and psychological | | | | also provide insight into how to approach any |
| demands and reactions. For most consumers a real | | | | improvements, updates, or remodeling projects that |
| estate purchase does, in fact, represent the most | | | | you might envision. |
| comprehensive and complex deal of an entire lifetime. | | | | Get competing bids, but remember that the cheapest |
| Those who venture into such undertakings can help | | | | bid doesn’t always guarantee the best work. |
| ensure their success by enlisting the support of a | | | | The main thing to look for is a stellar reputation for |
| talented and educated team of pros, and here is a | | | | exceptional quality and attention to detail, and your |
| recommended list to use as a starting point when | | | | contractors should all carry appropriate insurance to |
| recruiting help for your big home purchase project: | | | | cover themselves in case they are injured while |
| • Real Estate Brokers and Mortgage Lenders | | | | working on your premises. |
| Ask friends for recommendations, and when you | | | | • Chimney Sweeps |
| interview potential brokers and lenders ask them | | | | If you have a chimney, you’ll also need a |
| about their experience and track record. Also find out | | | | certified chimney sweep to check it for cracks, leaks, |
| what particular area of real estate and neighborhoods | | | | or potentially dangerous build-up of flammable residue. |
| they specialize in, because this can be incredibly | | | | Thanks to modern tools, those in this old-school |
| important. If you’re buying a downtown | | | | trade can now snake a tiny video camera into your |
| condo, for instance, you want someone who knows | | | | chimney and make a thorough visual examination of |
| that market, not somebody whose experience is | | | | every nook and cranny, no matter how ancient or |
| primarily in listing and selling suburban houses or | | | | narrow the air passageway may be. The best |
| mountain lodges. Communication is essential, so only | | | | chimney sweeps also have powerful vacuum cleaners |
| choose those with whom you have a comfortable | | | | – often mounted on trucks – that are |
| rapport. If the interpersonal chemistry doesn’t | | | | especially designed to let them capture dust, ashes, |
| feel right, keep looking. | | | | and soot without letting any of it escape and settle |
| • Building Inspectors | | | | on your fine white rugs and draperies. |
| Just as when you have a question about your car | | | | This list is by no means complete, and you may or |
| you go to a trusted mechanic, when buying a house | | | | may not need all of these experts for your particular |
| or condo you should have a reliable building inspector | | | | purchase. On the other hand, you may need to add |
| on your team. But keep in mind that there are | | | | to the list to bring others on board. For instance, if |
| different kinds of inspectors. You’ll want one | | | | you are buying property in an historical neighborhood, |
| to check for termites and other pests, and another | | | | you might need to hire someone who knows |
| to check for environmental hazards such as radon | | | | old-fashioned plastering techniques. If you’re |
| gas and asbestos. For a general inspection, | | | | looking at farmland, you could need a well digger or |
| you’ll hire a licensed general building inspector | | | | an agricultural consultant. Buying a cool urban |
| to study the mechanical and structural components | | | | warehouse loft? You may very well need to call that |
| of the house, such as the electrical system, | | | | guy in town who knows how to fix antique elevators |
| appliances, foundation, roof, and plumbing. | | | | or the woman in the neighborhood who sells steam |
| Building inspectors are also the best source of | | | | radiators that come in different Crayola crayon |
| information about how to properly maintain your | | | | colors. |
| home. Follow them around as they check your home, | | | | Buying a home can – and typically does |
| and ask them to teach you how to do your own | | | | – have significant repercussions that last far |
| routine inspections after you move in, to look for | | | | into the future. A house purchase influences the |
| potential problems before they happen. | | | | personal and financial lives of both you and your |
| • A Real Estate Attorney | | | | partner, so it is always wise and prudent to approach |
| Real estate is a specialized legal field, and when | | | | the event with as much information, guidance, insight, |
| buying a house you should enlist the services of | | | | and reliable professional support as possible. |
| someone who only practices real estate law. | | | | |