What is the question you wish you'd asked before buying your house?

I have to think this discussion has appeared here before, but I can’t find it. (So point me to it, if you think it’s here.) I look forward to learning from your responses; I’m sure others will too.

Amym718

in Inspection 13 years and 3 months ago

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callalily | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Does “delivered vacant” apply to possums?

rh | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Not a question so much as something I’ve encountered in every single house I’ve owned. The “renovations” NEVER satisfy me. I don’t mean what is visible to my eye or even the inspector’s. I’m talking about what they cover up. Rotting wood, bricks that need pointing, crumbling plaster….instead of restoration and/or replacement, they just hide this stuff. Don’t pay for someone else’s shoddy renovation.

elbow | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Good advice, Brokelin.  If there are existing tenants definitely get the stats on their rent payments and get a sense of who they are as people.  I’ve walked away from buildings where it seemed someone would always want to fight with me or be an apoplectic complainer.

brokelin | 13 years and 3 months ago

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all good questions…yes, coops have a whole set of questions one should ask, in addition to those you need to ask about a house.  In my case, the question I should have paid attention to, but did not, even when I had some evidence of the fact and my lawyer certainly noticed when doing her due diligence, but I was blase about it, was …. is that downstairs neighbor crazy, or what….

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Make sure you get a good inspector.  Rich perri has been recommended on here many times and he just did my buyer’s inspection.  he is thorough but fair and will give you realistic assessments for any and all issues. http://richperri.com/Site/Welcome.html   When i bought my house, i regretted not having redone the floors before I moved in.  Do them.  It makes a huge difference.

totalhousehold | 13 years and 3 months ago

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I wish I had asked this question too before buying my first apartment, but generally, I got lucky.  I bought a coop so my questions might not all apply but here you go: – what & when was the last major renovation project for the building? (ie how well maintained is the building and should you expect any big increase in maintenance if there hasn’t been any renovations done over the past few years.) – what were the maintenance increases over the past 5 years? (give indication of how run is the coop board, can they plan their budget or do you see huge jumps in maintenance) – any construction projects going on in the neighborhood? (noise, polution, inconvenience, etc. Also, might obstruct your views) – how many units are still sponsored-owned?  – any pending litigations? (your lawyer should tell you this but not all lawyers do their due-dillegence thoroughly) – open the windows and check the noise level with your windows open (also check whether there are any restaurants/bars w outdoor areas – you will hear every conversations!) – check to make sure all electrical outlets work (this might sound basic but a friend bought a place where only 1 worked – she had to bring in an electrician, which can be expensive) – check the water pressure/make sure hot & cold water both work correctly, and that the toilet flushes – what’s the coop board policy for renting/subletting, pets, renovations   I’m sure there’s lots more to ask, especially more specific to buying a house rather than a coop but hope this helps.   http://www.totalhousehold.com