To actively find out your potential home’s trouble spots and head off headaches, you need to know the right questions to ask before you buy. That does not mean potential problems will go away, instead you will have eyes wide open and can adjust your budget accordingly.

Here are 8 questions to ask the present owner, your agent, or your prospective neighbors.

1. Has There Ever Been a Busted Pipe?

A broken pipe is not rare; in fact, water damage caused by a frozen or burst pipe is a leading cause of homeowner’s insurance claims, at around 22% of all home insurance losses, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

What cause pipes to bursts? Typically, exposed water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces, along with exterior faucets. Another prime suspect of water damage: old washing machine hoses.

A good inspector usually can tell if water damage has occurred, and any damage should be disclosed by the previous owner at the time of sale. Nevertheless, you should:

• Make sure exposed pipes in unheated areas are protected with pipe insulation.
• Install frost-proof spigots on all exterior faucets. The spigots let you put a shutoff valve inside your home so freezing is less likely.
• Check that washing machine hoses are in good condition and replace, if necessary, with braided steel hoses with brass fittings. These are much stronger and longer lasting than rubber hoses.

The big fallout from water damage is moisture problems you will not see -- behind drywall and trim -- which can lead to mold. If you know there has been a major leak, a mold remediation professional will tell you if mold is present and the steps required to remove it.

2. How Old is the Roof?

Knowing the approximate age of the roof will give you a good idea of how soon you’ll face, and need to budget for, repairs or replacement. A new roof is no small matter: The "Remodeling Impact Report" from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® pegs the median national cost of an asphalt roofing replacement at $7,500.

The most common type of roofing -- regular asphalt shingles -- needs to be replaced after 15 to 20 years. Here are estimated average life spans for other types of roofing materials:

• Top-of-the-line (architectural) asphalt shingles: 24 to 30 years
• Metal (galvalume): 30 to 45 years
• Concrete tile: 35 to 50 years
• Wood shakes: 20 to 40 years

Tip: Know how many layers of roofing your house has. Most building codes allow two layers (because of weight concerns): the original roofing, and one re-roofing layer over that.

3. Any Infestations of Termites, Carpenter Ants, or Other Pests?

Any infestation should be uncovered by a termite inspection.

If the house was infested note that whatever conditions made the house ripe for infestation in the first place -- a slow leak under the house, soft rotting wood that attracts insects -- may still be present. Plus, many infestations are not just confined to one house. It may be a neighborhood-wide problem.

Be proactive:

• Ask neighbors if they have had any problems with pests.
• Seal cracks and holes around your house.
• Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces dry and well-ventilated.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are in good repair, and that the soil around your foundation slopes away from your house at least 6 inches over a 10-foot distance.
• Repair or replace any rotted wood.
• Keep firewood and lumber piles at least 20 feet from your home.

4. What are the Monthly Utility Costs?

You need to know what the monthly utilities as these must be paid. Be sure to get an average cost -- not the lowest monthly bill -- and ask when peak months are. 

Ask what kind of energy sources the house appliances use -- gas, electric, propane, or a combination. This will help you understand where you might upgrade to energy-efficient appliances to save energy costs. 

Remember that energy savings starts with the simplest of tasks, like sealing air leaks.  

5. Is There Documentation on Warranties?

If the previous owners were conscientious enough to stash warranties and appliance manuals, be sure to get them. 

If you get the paperwork, look for purchase dates on major appliances, so you will know how old they are and when they might decide to poop out. When you are ready to upgrade, you can identify which appliances are least energy efficient and target those first. 

Tip: Keep all warranty cards and product manuals yourself. If you decide to sell, those records show you care about your house and become a marketing asset. 

6. How Much Insulation Is in the Attic?

After sealing air leaks and weatherstripping around doors and windows, adding insulation is one of the best ways to gain efficiency and keep your house cozy. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends adding more insulation if the thickness of your attic insulation is less than 11 inches.

If the owner is unsure, take a look at the attic. If the attic floor is insulated and but can see the tops of the ceiling joists, you should budget an insulation upgrade. If insulation was installed between the roof rafters -- and you can see the edges of the rafters -- you can beef up the insulation by covering over the rafters with rigid insulating foam board. 

7. How Big is the Water Heater?

To avoid a family rebellion, make sure your water heater is big enough to cover the needs of your household.  Most water heaters have a life expectancy of about 13 years. A new high-efficiency water heater costs $900 to $2,000, depending on the size and model you choose.

8. When Was the Last Time the Septic Tank Was Pumped?

A typical septic system should be pumped every three to five years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Association. But the number of people in the house can affect that recommendation.

Here are some of what my team will do to ensure you and your family  are kept safe from Covid-19.

1. We use virtual tours, virtual showings, and virtual open houses as much as possible to reduce the number of people that will come to your house.
2. Covid-19 Sanitation Kit – We provide you with a kit containing hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and booties
3. A limit of 2 persons plus agent for each living showing
4. Showing and Open House done by appointments only.
5. Buyers or Buyers’ Agents must present a pre-approval to demonstrate they qualify for buying the house thereby eliminating lookers.
6. Each Buyer must sign Covid-19 disclosure and do a Covid-19 Contact tracing questionnaire before appointment is granted.
7. We require homeowner and other occupants to be out the house once a showing or open house is been done.
8. No one can enter your house without wearing a mask which must be worn throughout the viewing.
9. Each person is asked to used hand sanitizer provided as soon as they enter your home.
10.  All high touch areas are cleaned between showings and open house appointments.
11.  A deep cleaning of your home after each open house
12.  We make appointments to avoid crowds and long lines outside your house.
13.  Only one party can be in the house at any given time
14.  We limit of persons in a party at a showing.

As you are prepare to buy your home in this new normal here are a few new rules, insights and tips that will help you optimize your time and stay safe.

Before In-Person Viewings of Properties.

• Narrow your property search using photos, virtual tours, and leverage other technology to reduce the number of in-person showings.
• Make sure you have a pre-approval ready as most Realtors and sellers will require you to email them a copy before allowing you to view the property.
• Be prepared to make appointments to attend open houses as agents are required to have only one party in the property at any given time.
• Determine who the essential parties or decision makers ae since there is a limit of 4 persons per party at a showing.
• Be prepared to sign a COVID-19 Disclosure form before going to the property. This disclosure form helps you to make informed choices about access to the properties.
• Some Realtors will require that you complete a brief questionnaire to disclose whether they have COVID-19 or exhibit any symptoms or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
• For your safety and the safety of your party, remain in your vehicle until your Realtor arrives at the property.

During In-Person Viewings or Open House though appointments

• Always adhere to social distancing and maintain a minimum of six feet of space between persons.
• Do not shake hands
• You might be required on entering a property to immediately wash your hands or to use hand sanitizer, remove footwear or wear booties, and wear a face mask or covering, and gloves.
• During the tour avoid touching any surfaces in the home, such as light switches, cabinet, and door handles.
• Do not to use bathroom facilities at the property.
• Do not share phones, pens, or tablets or other personal property during the showing.
• Comply with any requirements of the seller during the showing.

  After a In-Person Viewing of Property

• Speak with your Agent outside of the property or in a ventilated area while maintaining a distance of 6 feet or arrange to speak by phone or email.
• Do not provide any paper documents, and instead follow up with any information electronically after you leave the property.
• Use hand sanitizer upon returning to your vehicle.

One of the major drawbacks of the Coronavirus is that it turns your friends and all that you do to show them affection – hugs, kisses, share meals and drinks – into a deadly threat. And yet, in this appalling moment, we need our friends more than ever, and it is probably true that our immune systems do, too. Isolation is bad for a species addicted to social interactions. Here are a few ideas that might help you.

Cocktail Hour on Video Conferencing With Friends
Use Zoom or any other video conferencing means to invite your for drinks in front of their laptop (or phone) at a time when you might normally meet in a pub or at each other’s homes. It’s surprising what a difference it can make to a day of isolation, and to your spirits in general, to see your friends’ faces in the evening and hear them talk and laugh.

The scale of Covid-19 and what it’s doing to us is very worrying, but an hour with different friends every evening really helps reduce anxiety. You could dress up, light candles, provide nibbles (crisps make too much noise). Whatever joy is released when you see your pals in the flesh is also present in these video cocktails.

Gardening
This connects us with the outdoors and the gentle satisfaction of watching things grow brings a unique positivity. If you do not have a garden, there are plenty of ways to grow indoors.

A sunny windowsill, inside or out. It is best if you are a beginner to grow herbs. They’re easy and delicious – and when supermarket supplies are low they become increasingly worthwhile. The plastic trays that tomatoes come in will do – just make some holes in the bottom for drainage.

Fill the plastic tray with peat-free multipurpose. Parsley and basil grow along happily next to one another, but mint’s a bit of a thug and better in its own pot. You can also chuck in some salad leaf seeds: pea shoots, rocket and nasturtiums germinate quickly and are tasty at any point in their growing cycle. Sow according to packet instructions.

Keep the soil moist – an old spray bottle is perfect for this – before and after shoots appear. If you harvest no more than a third of the plant at a time, all should bounce back.

Home Bound Exercise
There’s lots of great online content available. Here is a YouTube video showing cardio bodyweight workout from trainer Lita Lewis. There is a run on home gym equipment right now, but dumbbells, ropes and other useful products are still available online. Choose what’s right for your space. 

There’s so anecdotal and scientific evidence showing how important fitness is for mental health: so during this very stressful time, it’s even more important. It also boosts the immune system.

But exercise isn’t just about health – it’s often a social activity, too. Work out with a friend on FaceTime or have an online dance party with your family. Search Instagram or Facebook for your favorite band’s live show and join the live audience. That will be a new and awesome experience. Find something on YouTube and dance for half an hour and you would have taken care of your cardio for the day.

Sewing & Crocheting
If you can sew now is a good time to mend all those clothes you have been meaning to. Click here to learn how to darn varuois items. If you cannot sew, how about crocheting?  It is felt be some that crocheting eliminates stress and eases anxiety. Click here to see more on the benefits of crocheting.  

Short sales generally work if you are facing foreclosure or can't pay your mortgage. Short payoffs work best if you aren't having trouble with your mortgage payment. 

Short sales and short payoffs are very similar in that both transactions involve the lender allowing your home to be sold for less than the total debt you owe. One of the main differences is that a short payoff allows borrowers to rid themselves of the home with little damage to their credit score while a short sale will negatively impact the borrower’s credit score.   

There are also significant differences in the criteria to become eligible.

Criteria for a Short Sale

Generally, to be eligible for a short sale:

• the market value of the home must have dropped significantly
• the homeowner must be in default (late on payments) or is likely to go into default soon
• the homeowner has no assets that could be used to satisfy the debt, and
• the homeowner must have experienced a financial hardship.

Criteria for a Short Payoff

Generally, to be eligible for a short payoff:

• the borrower must demonstrate the ability to pay off the debt
• the lender will sometimes require that the borrower be current on mortgage payments, and
• the borrower must have a steady income and good credit.

A short payoff can be a good option when:

• the market value of the home has dropped significantly
• the homeowner can afford to make mortgage payments
• the homeowner wants to move away from the property, and
• the homeowner does not have the ability to pay a large amount of money to cover the deficiency between the sales price and the total debt.

Should I Do a Short Sale or a Short Payoff?

Ultimately, if you are behind in your mortgage payments (or soon will be) and are suffering from a financial hardship, then a short sale is probably the best route to pursue. However, if you are current on your mortgage payments, have financial resources, and simply want to move away from an underwater home, then a short payoff might be the right choice for you.

If you have questions, concerns about your mortgage, want to do a short payoff or short sale call us today at 516-300-2427. Our team of experts will be happy to help you.