Before committing to a purchase it is a good idea to make sure your ideal home doesn't have a major defect such as an infestation of wood eating insects. Most properties have some form of minor defect; making sure you aren't going to run up major costs fixing them is essential. Find a professional for this if you are unsure.
2. Enquire about the tax bills
Houses are constantly being re-evaluated and subsequently lumped into a higher tax bracket. An increase in taxes could nullify the ideal investment you've just made. Ask how expensive some of the recent tax bills have been to help you make a judgement. Ask your agent how the taxes are spent in the area; this will help you get a better idea of the benefits of your community. Ask a realtor for the full information. Try professionals with authority such as those from Luxury Galveston.
3. Evaluate risk of natural disasters
Some areas are particularly prone to natural disasters. For example, if your property is on a flood plain you may want to install structures against flooding or look into special insurance. Taking preventative measures against natural disasters can soon run up a costly bill.
4. Title search results
In certain cases the seller may not be legally allowed to sell you the home. A title search is absolutely crucial to ensure you are making a totally legitimate purchase. Be sure to hire a reputable company to perform the search for you. Eaton Realty, the Galveston Real Estate professionals at LuxuryGalveston.com, the aforementioned realtors, can help you in this respect.
5. Check any records of past improvements.
This is essential to make sure a temporary solution was not deployed to fix a long term defect with the property. Records may not always be available so it is advised you communicate with neighbours or make a call to the Better Business Bureau.
6. The final walkthrough
Take one last walk through the property with a cool head. Make sure you haven't missed any possible problems during your initial excitement. Once you are certain in both head and heart that the property is ideal for you, it's time to sign the paperwork!
Extra notes : Make sure to check your budget thoroughly and make sure you can make payments on time. A tip from professional homebuyers is to get a good appraiasal value from a professional and then have constructors and decorators touch up the house to make the house raise in value, a vast percentage of homebuyers sell their home within 4-12 years of the original purchase. It is also good to make sure interest doesn't rise on your house, you can sometimes negotiate contracts with home loaners to ensure that you can pay double the monthly dues to reduce interest costs.