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