Right now there are a lot of foreclosed homes on the market. If you're thinking of buying one in the St. Clair area, here are a few tips you might want to consider to make sure it's not going to be a "money pit" in the future.
Get a Home Inspection
This is great advice even if the home you're planning to purchase isn't a foreclosure. However, if it is a foreclosure, a home inspection by a licensed inspector is an absolute must to evaluate whether this is indeed a good buy for you or will be a continual drain of your funds and a giant headache once the house is yours. As you'll see when you look at our other tips, there are some specialized home inspectors that we also recommend you have check out the home.
Turn On the Utilities
If the utilities are not on, the only proper way to check the systems in the house is to have the utilities turned on. Before that switch is pulled, however, there are some precautions to take. Be sure the water lines haven't frozen and burst, check with the gas company to see what precautions they require before they'll light the pilot lights on gas appliances, and have a licensed electrician check out things before electric power is restored.
Check for Plumbing Problems
Plumbing problems that seem to be minor may actually have caused a lot of problems below the surface. Floors or drywall may be rotted out or moldy if there have been major leaks, creating huge expenses to fix the damage.
Check Mechanical, Water Heating and Electrical Systems
Dirt, debris and even small animals can get into the ductwork of a home, and furnaces and boilers may corrode if there has been a lot of dampness. At the very least, filters are probably needing cleaned and/or replaced, so be sure all these things are examined by your home inspector.
Look for Signs of Poor Maintenance
If the house you're considering has been sitting empty for awhile, debris may have accumulated on roofs and in gutters and the yard may be full of overgrown areas. Inside, cracked or missing caulking may be an issue in tubs and showers, there may be missing light fixtures or appliances, and cheap, quick repairs may need redone, all of which can make for higher maintenance costs down the road.
Check the Exterior
Look for foundation cracks, missing or curled shingles, or signs of leaks or other exterior damage. If there's a pool at this St. Clair area home, it's a good idea to contact a pool service to determine if the underground piping and equipment is in good repair, as well as looking for other pool-specific problems. These can all be big-ticket repairs.
Conduct a Sewer Scope
Tree roots and improper connections can both lead to rotted, clogged or damaged sewer lines, another costly repair. Hire a plumbing company to do a video scope of your lines to evaluate any problems that may not be easily visible from the outside.
Resolve any Liens
Especially if the house has been uninhabited for awhile, it's possible that contractors, homeowner’s associations, utility companies or other entities have put liens against the property in an effort to collect for unpaid services, fees, etc. You'll have to have these cleared up before title can be passed to you.
Install New Locks
Once the inspections are over, you feel that you're getting a good deal and you go ahead and purchase the foreclosed home, make it a priority to have new locks with new keys installed immediately after taking possession. Lots of people may have keys to this home, so it's better to start fresh and not have to worry about who might come into possession of a key to your new house.
If you're looking for a foreclosure or any other type of home in the St. Clair area, give me, Scott Hickinbotham, a call at 636-399-2296 or contact me online. I can help you if a foreclosure purchase is in your future or if you just want a new home for your family.
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