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Five things a buyer agent should show you when looking at an 'older' home.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Paul Howard, Broker, Paul Howard Realty 856-488-8444 8639604

Five things a buyer agent should show you when looking at an 'older' home.


The other day while showing a young couple a home they asked me if they could use a voice recorder to record my comments. I thought it was a great idea. When I look at any home (not just an older home) I point out pros and cons and answer a wide range of questions. So, what was it they wanted to record?

Here are 5 things I'm likely to comment on or answer:
  • Is the grading around the house likely to result in water in the basement?
  • Is the water service entry galvanized pipe or copper?
  • Are there cracks in the foundation wall and what effect might that have on the choice of a home inspector.
  • Are there signs of termite damage/activity or repair.
  • Are there signs of water penetration in dark corners (I have a big light).

    This list applies mostly to houses with basements but not entirely.
    In future posts I may do a list on other aspects of viewing homes or on the purchase process.

    Think about doing what my clients did (and which I'll encourage others to do) - use a voice recorder or better yet a video camera.



    If you are a consumer, looking for a buyer agent in your area, you may find an EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGENT (EBA) at: naeba.org. Members of NAEBA (the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents) have taken a pledge to exclusively represent buyers - and never sellers - and work for companies that maintain that as the core of their business model.


    I am a buyer agent member of NAEBA working in the South Jersey and Central Jersey area. My office is in Cherry Hill. If you are looking for a home in the next 6 months, have a 650 plus credit score and are employed, call me today.

    Paul Howard, Broker

    NJHomeBuyer.com Realty (member of NAEBA)

    Cherry Hill NJ 08002

    856-488-8444

    Twitter/paulhoward

    FaceBook

  • Posted by

     

    Paul Howard, Broker

    NJHomeBuyer.com Realty

    80 Barclay Center Suite 4A

    Cherry Hill NJ 08034

    856-488-8444

    Comments (4)

    Betina Foreman
    WJK Realty - Austin, TX
    Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

    What a great tip! It will help them remember each house, as often homes start to blur together if you see too many on one day. 

    May 17, 2009 02:39 AM
    Paul Howard
    Paul Howard, Broker, Paul Howard Realty 856-488-8444 - Cherry Hill, NJ
    Paul Howard Realty, 856-488-8444

    Betina,

    When I see more than 3 houses they start to blur, anything that helps distinguish them for buyers will make their search much more efficient.

    May 17, 2009 02:48 AM
    Glen Fisher
    National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC - Oaklyn, NJ

    Hi Paul,

    Occasionally, the water service line from the street can be lead.  The buyer can scrape the pipe with a pocket knife and if a copper color appears it is likely copper.  If a dull metal color appears and the pipe is hard, it is likely steel.  If the pipe is soft and turns shiny metal - that may be lead and require a few thousand dollars to replace. 

    Aug 30, 2009 11:03 AM
    Paul Howard
    Paul Howard, Broker, Paul Howard Realty 856-488-8444 - Cherry Hill, NJ
    Paul Howard Realty, 856-488-8444

    Lead is beyond scary.  I thought the only thing that was used for was drain lines.  Live and learn (or if you have lead water supply pipes maybe die).

    When was that last used?

    Aug 30, 2009 11:22 AM