New or Old House?

A lot of buyers think that a new house is the way to go but it's important to have some knowledge of quality and of the builder. New paint, carpet, doors, windows and cabinets are a quick and easy sell. But are the cabinets even level. I have seen cabinets in a $300,000 house that the dishes would roll out of. In the same house, a paladium window was set in the framing with over an inch gap, which they filled with caulk. The buyer didn't see it until it was pointed out in the appraisal as a necessary repair.

While the carpet looks good, you need to know the quality as well as that of the padding. Cheap carpet and padding can wear out in as little as three years and you don't expect to have to spend a lot of money on a fairly new house. If you're new to the area, ask anyone in the neighborhood about the builder, except the site agent. If other purchasers have already moved in, they will tell you what their experience has been. For example, "we told him the dishwasher leaks and the light fixtures were wrong but he never sent anyone to fix it". Disgruntled homeowners are quick to point out the faults. They will complain beyond belief, but take that as your good fortune and move on.

Unless you get a custom built house by a well known builder, you are better off buying an older well built house. Regardless of what you hear about wafer board and 2x4s the older materials are much better. I believe that just like the mortgage and insurance industries, these are just ploys to market cheaper materials. You can't possibly believe that pvc is better than copper. Please rate and tell friends.

More: http://www.freewebs.com/realestatenews

Suzie is a licensed real estate broker and certified residential appraiser with twenty years of experience and majored in real estate and architecture. Other professionals have contributed as well.

---

Take The Guess Work Out Of Your Wholesale Property Purchases

We have become very concerned by the number of readers... Read More

Where To Start In Looking For A Central Illinois Realtor

Central Illinois is an excellent location for families and businesses.... Read More

Should Sellers Order a Pre-sale Home Inspection?

One of the main reasons home sale transactions fall apart... Read More

Not Everyone is Buying or Selling, Some are Doing Both

As if one real estate transaction is not hectic enough?... Read More

Why A Final Inspection Is Necessary

In the sales contract, the sellers of your new home... Read More

How Come No One Told Us About This When We Were Buying a Home?

Development, it's bound to happen.Simply because there is a large... Read More

What is a Loft Apartment?

What is a loft apartment? At the most basic level... Read More

Tax Deferred Exchanges of Investment and Business Real Estate

The Primary Residence taxation, the Residential Replacement Rollover, Sec. 1034... Read More

Before Selling Your Home

Here are some important steps you should take before you... Read More

Timing Clauses Stop Sellers From Inciting Bidding War

It is no secret that the current real estate market... Read More

Property Investment - What Future For the Biggest Bubble of All Time?

The Economist magazine published a special report in this months... Read More

Landscaping Adds Great Value to Real Estate And Helps You Sell

Over the years several of our clients have had professional... Read More

Prepare Your Property Like A Pro And Boost Profits

The housing market is hot, and you've decided to list... Read More

FSBO: For Sale By Owners Chapter Two

Sheriff's Deputy Ted Rasmussen was thinking about Carrie-his pregnant waitress... Read More

Do I Need A Real Estate Survey?

Getting a survey before you close on any real estate... Read More

Small Town Stone House with a Long History

As a native Midwesterner, the first thing I noticed when... Read More

5 Rock-Solid Real Estate Investment Strategies

Investing in real estate is more complex than simply buying... Read More

Buying Houses: Types of Bargains to Find

To make a good profit in real estate, you must... Read More

Home Owners: Disclose the Facts!

One of the most common causes for disputes occurring after... Read More

Property Investing

Wrapping a property is a simple concept that can create... Read More

Why Real Estate Investment?

Why should you invest in real estate? Well, investing in... Read More

Should You Accept A Full Purchase Offer For Your Note or Not?

You could be facing a dilemma when considering payout options... Read More

Buying and Selling Distressed Houses for Maximum Profit (Update)

If you want to become a real estate investor, find... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 4

Analyzing and finding the right property deals:Firstly read my other... Read More

Whats This about a Housing Bubble?

In his recent testimony, Alan Greenspan warned against the possiblity... Read More

How To Buy Property in Spain Safely

Buying property abroad is not an undertaking one should embark... Read More

Flat Fee MLS Listings - Is This The Future Of Real Estate

Realtors are all a buzz about this new form of... Read More

Fixer Uppers: Dont Make This Mistake

Making money with "fixer-uppers" isn't about repairing drywall or planting... Read More

Buying Houses at Discount Prices

Buying a house is the best way you can create... Read More

Selling Your Home ? What Can Go Wrong With Title and Lenders

If you're selling your home, there are going to be... Read More

Apartment Loan 101

So you're interested in going into business as a property... Read More

Should You Buy Real Estate Now

I have been seeing the market on fire for a... Read More

Selling Houses: Design Psychology Works!

I've taught the concepts of Design Psychology for many years,... Read More