Real estate agents who understand that buying a home is a big deal for most who want to create a haven for themselves after a busy day.

1. Things to Be Aware of Before
Buying a Home
by Jennifer Los

2. Introduction
As the saying goes, buying a home will probably be the biggest
investment you will ever make. That is why, when looking for houses
or apartments to acquire, you must make due diligence and ensure
that you don't end up with a property that you regret owning later
down the road.
In this presentation, we will give you 6 tips to maximize your chances of
finding a house that will delight you for years to come.

3. Know the Market Prices
Unfortunately for us, many people involved in the real estate industry
don’t have our best interests in mind. Scammers are part of the
business, but one way we can protect ourselves is to become
educated on the general value of a property in the area we intend to
buy.
This can be done by browsing through hundreds of listings to get a feel
for housing prices, but takes a lot of time and work. A better solution
would be to request the assistance of an experienced realtor in your
region.

4. Risk Zone?
One of the elements we often neglect and forget to take into
consideration, when we purchase a home, is the area in which the
property is located. The streets may look great, the neighbors may
all seem like perfect people, but does the zone pose some risk? Is it
prone to floodings, earthquakes or other natural disasters?
This information is of utmost importance because in the years to come,
should you buy that property, you may have to deal with the
consequences of that decision and a special insurance may have to
be purchased in addition to your home insurance.

5. Latent Defects
If you had to take only one tip away from this
presentation, this should be it: when visiting
a home, always look for latent defects that
might turn an otherwise good opportunity
into a horror story.
Learn about the most common defects that owners generally try to hide
(electrical issues, water damage or a leaky/damaged roof). Better
yet, have your new home be inspected by a professional. Even
though this might set you back a few hundred dollars, this is an
investment that might save you tens of thousands dollars. If there
are any additional repairs that need to be done, also include that the
cost in the grand total of the home.

6. Noise Pollution
Not unlike checking if the property is part of a risk
zone, you must also pay attention to any noise that
might become a nuisance in the long term. Are
there planes flying low in the area? Are there trains
that frequently pass? Is this a busy street?
Noise can really make your life miserable by
disturbing your peace as well as your sleep. The
disturbance could happen at any point in the day so it is highly
recommended that you visit a location at different moments of the
day (and the night).

7. Investment or Personal Property
For what purpose are you wanting to purchase this house? What
makes sense as a home for you and your family does not
necessarily translate into a great investment property. The opposite
is also true.
For a great rental home, pay attention to the following points :
• Calculate and ensure that the rent you will be able to secure will be enough
to cover both your mortgage and the taxes that you will have to pay on the
side.
• Look for appreciation potential, which means a property that could – with
only a few fixings – command a much higher rent
• How close is the property from general amenities such as schools, public
transportation or shops? Such factors will make your property much
more valuable.

8. Emotional VS Rational
Sometimes, buying a home is like falling in love. You see a property
and instantly know it is right for you.
Unfortunately, these initial feelings are just your emotions speaking.
Before purchasing a home, it is better to take the time to think
through the decision before acting.
That pool in the garden might look great, but can you really afford the
upkeep? You absolutely loved the mezzanine for your bedroom, but
will you not get tired of having to climb a ladder at night to go to
sleep? Think about all those factors before making a
decision.

9. Conclusion
Finding homes for sale can either be a wonderful or a very unpleasant
affair. It all boils down to one factor: your degree of preparedness.
Use the advice we provide in this presentation to assist you in
purchasing a home that you will cherish and enjoy for the decades
to come.

10. For more information on how to find the best
houses for sale, visit our site at:
http://londonontariohomesforsale.com/