This is the fifth in a series of six articles on what to watch out for when buying a condominium in Massachusetts. Written by attorney and real estate broker Warren Reynolds, this article seeks to make you a better informed condo buyer. Note that this particular article’s content applies equally to condominiums and single-family homes. You can read the fourth article here. Before you buy any home, please consult an attorney.
Part Five: How to save money on home inspections
There’s an expensive mistake with home inspections that some home buyers in Massachusetts needlessly fall prey to. Fortunately, prospective purchasers can easily avoid this inspection pitfall simply by looking around carefully as they tour homes.
Getting too emotionally involved with a home
Home buyers can become starry-eyed during their tour of a property for sale. They can get so excited about features and amenities that they fail to look carefully at the structure and mechanical systems. They end up making an offer without noticing subtle issues and objections that then become all too apparent during the ensuing home inspection.
When these buyers back out of the purchase after the inspection, they can legitimately say to themselves “why did I spend money on the inspection, when I never should have made that offer – at that price – in the first place?”
Video explains what to do
The video below shows you how to approach your home tours to help assure you don’t waste money on an ill-advised home inspection.
Train your eye to spot the signs of common problems
While home inspections are worth every penny you spend on them, you don’t want to pay for an inspection on a home with issues that make it unlikely you’d ever want to buy the home. That’s a true waste of money!
The more experienced you become as a MA home buyer, the more readily you will recognize the telltale signs of common problems that make a listing a property to move on from – or at least bid lower on!
Subtle signs, not obvious red flags
Everyone recognizes obvious problems such as a failed roof, decrepit heat system, or puddles of water in the basement. But there are other, easy-to-miss indicators of potentially expensive problems in homes that you should be aware of, and be on the look out for, when you tour homes for sale.
Roofs nearing the end of their life expectancy
Older roofs are the first thing to look for. Most shingles have a twenty or twenty-five year life expectancy. If the roof on a home has curled, worn shingles or has dark streaks on it, that’s a sign of age.
If you see a home with a roof like those in any of the above images, ask how old the roof is. If a roof is more than eighteen years old, you can be sure a home inspector will mention that to you as an issue. If the age of the roof concerns you, don’t make an offer! Or at least offer less than you would have had the roof been younger.
Signs of water in the basement
There are subtle signs of past water penetration to look for in basements. Again, we’re not talking about large puddles of water or carpeting that is wet on the day you tour the property. The signs will be hard to spot, but if a basement has had water penetration, the evidence will be there.
In finished basement spaces, look for wavy lines on baseboards and on the lower edges of door frames. Swollen or warped areas of baseboard are another indication of past water.
In unfinished basement areas, look for white, chalky streaks on concrete walls (called efflorescence). Also note dark stains on the basement floor.
If you see any of these telltale signs, just understand that the home inspector will, too. The inspection report will likely note that the basement has had water in the past. If this would deter you from owning the home, save your money on the home inspection and don’t make an offer!
Older heating systems
Google “life expectancy furnace” and you’ll see a range of between fifteen and twenty years. Do the same for boilers and the range is between ten and fifteen years. (Those ranges seem short to me, but these are what the search results yield.)
Boilers and furnaces often function well for many years beyond their rated life expectancy. But if you see a furnace or a boiler that looks like it has been in service for over twenty years, you can be sure that a home inspector will mention the age of the heat system in the inspection report. So pay attention to the boiler/furnace when you tour a home. if if looks aged, it very likely is! Adjust your offer accordingly, or at least understand that the inspector will tell you to budget for a replacement in coming years.
Up next: How sewers and septic systems can affect your purchase decisions
Ever wonder where all that water goes when you do your laundry or run your dishwasher? The answer can have a big impact on your long-term costs of condo ownership.
Follow the hotlink in the image above or at right to learn more about how the ongoing costs of condo ownership can be greatly affected by how your condo association disposes of all the wastewater produced the residents in the condo community.
If you have questions about touring homes and home inspections
Use the form below to contact Massachusetts attorney and real estate broker Warren Reynolds with any questions you have about home inspections. He’s here to help!
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You get more with Warren Reynolds than you do with other top real estate agents. You’ll find in Warren rare knowledge and experience dedicated to helping you achieve all the value that home brings. Warren has a law degree and 20+ years of home selling success in Massachusetts. — talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"We have now bought and sold five homes. By far, you have been the best realtor we have worked with. Your professionalism and knowledge are so valuable to your clients. You made this process so easy. "-CB
Make better decisions
and feel in control.
Did you know you can materially improve your home selling success by choosing your marketing agent and brokerage brand wisely? It’s true! A marketing agent with a sterling reputation, backed by a strong brokerage brand, will do wonders for the reception your home gets upon entry to market. Call Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
Not only is Warren highly skilled and dedicated to protecting your best interests, he will be highly responsive to your needs! He CARES about his clients and is always, always there for them. Why not give it a try? Contact Warren now and see how well he takes care of you! – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"I had many, many questions which Warren was always more than willing to answer with a never ending patience. Throughout the process Warren looked out for my best interest. I may have purchased a garden style condo but Warren treated me like I was purchasing a million dollar estate!" -MP
Get the attention you deserve.
Warren is a very creative real estate practitioner and he uses that creativity in ways that provide important advantages to clients. Creatively runs in Warren’s family! His uncle was Harnett T. Kane, an internationally-recognized investigative journalist and New York Times best-selling author of thirty books about the American South. Experience Warren’s refreshing difference today! 508-561-6259
"Your creative approach to all aspects of my move helped make the transition easy and pleasurable. You were recommended to me by a friend who appreciated your integrity, expertise, friendliness and conscientiousness - qualities that I have witnessed in abundance as we've worked together." -KB
Get creative with Warren.
Warren is a highly dedicated professional in all his real estate dealings. That means he will continue to serve you well, even when others would compromise on their commitments. Warren’s ultimate goals in business are better transactions and greater client satisfaction. Talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
All real estate agents are legally and ethically bound to be fiduciaries acting in their client’s best interests. His name stands for integrity and he takes his fiduciary duties to you very seriously. He’ll steadfastly put your interests first throughout your home purchase or sale – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was always there for us. Throughout the process, Warren kept on top of all our concerns. Warren worked for us, and looked out for our best interest. He is a very professional and caring person." - BP
Feel safe and well taken care of.
Warren is a highly dedicated professional in all his real estate dealings. That means he will continue to serve you well, even when others would compromise on their commitments. Warren’s ultimate goals in business are better transactions and greater client satisfaction. His devotion to excellence can demonstrably improve your home buying and selling decision-making and, consequently, your experience of home ownership. Warren constantly stays current on the local housing inventory. And he is conversant with the broader market trends that affect home sales statewide link to Market Updates. Warren knows that the market knowledge he works so hard to maintain and his high standards of real estate practice help him achieve for you the lasting, true value of home ownership. Talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was the finest real estate agent we've ever worked with. This was evident to us in comparison to quite a few realtors we attempted to utilize, as they were not very helpful, understanding or willing to work with us based on our preferences." -SM
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional,
wait until you hire an amateur.” Red Adair
Did you know you can materially improve your home selling success by choosing your marketing agent and brokerage brand wisely? It’s true! A marketing agent with a sterling reputation, backed by a strong brokerage brand, will do wonders for the reception your home gets upon entry to market. Warren is known in the local brokerage community as a dependable, highly skilled professional who is a straight-shooter. Other agents like working with Warren because they know they can trust him to be a reliable partner in any transaction. And the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand stands for sound decisions and extraordinary strength and stability. The “Forever Brand” brokerage created by Warren Buffet sets the standard for the real estate industry by focusing not on selling more homes, but rather on selling homes for more!Call Warren today! 508-561-6259
"As first time homebuyers we were fortunate to work with Warren. He was a great asset and sounding board. He always gave solid advice. Warren played a pivotal role in helping us negotiate with a difficult seller. We truly benefitted from having Warren in our corner and so will you." -JK
Maximize your home selling success.
Not only is Warren highly skilled and dedicated to protecting your best interests, he will be highly responsive to your needs! He CARES about his clients and is always, always there for them. In person, by phone, email or text, whenever you need him, you’ll get a prompt response from Warren! Warren’s clients rave about the high degree of consideration and attention they get from him. Why not give it a try? Contact Warren now and see how well he takes care of you! – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"I had many, many questions which Warren was always more than willing to answer with a never ending patience. Throughout the process Warren looked out for my best interest. I may have purchased a garden style condo but Warren treated me like I was purchasing a million dollar estate!" -MP
Get the attention you deserve.
Warren is a very creative real estate practitioner and he uses that creativity in ways that provide important advantages to clients. Creatively runs in Warren’s family! His uncle was Harnett T. Kane, an internationally-recognized investigative journalist and New York Times best-selling author of thirty books about the American South. Warren employs his own creativity by producing compelling marketing, both in print and especially online! His www.02038.com, is a highly effective website promoting the wonderful lifestyle afforded by the Town of Franklin, MA. And his Market Updates content on Massachusetts real estate trends gives home buyers and sellers alike the context they need to make more informed decisions about their housing investments. Warren frequently uses his abilities to devise resourceful solutions to the diverse challenges that threaten to complicate most real estate transactions. Warren has made real estate his career and won many sales awards in his 20+ years in brokerage, including the highly prestigious Chairman’s Circle Gold Award and the elite Centurion Award. Experience Warren’s refreshing difference today! 508-561-6259
"Your creative approach to all aspects of my move helped make the transition easy and pleasurable. You were recommended to me by a friend who appreciated your integrity, expertise, friendliness and conscientiousness - qualities that I have witnessed in abundance as we've worked together." -KB
Get creative with Warren.
You get more with Warren Reynolds than you do with other top real estate agents. You’ll find in Warren rare knowledge and experience dedicated to helping you achieve all the value that home brings. Warren has a law degree and 20+ years of home selling success in Massachusetts. His legal knowledge and decades-long experience in putting — and keeping — real estate sales together give him a better handle on the legal, practical and emotional dynamics of the real estate transaction. Warren uses these skills to empower clients to achieve more! He often anticipates and resolves problems BEFORE they can become serious impediments. Enjoy the sense of trust, security and control that comes from having a highly skilled expert at your side — talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"We have now bought and sold five homes. By far, you have been the best realtor we have worked with. Your professionalism and knowledge are so valuable to your clients. You made this process so easy. "-CB
Make better decisions and feel in control.
All real estate agents are legally and ethically bound to be fiduciaries acting in their client’s best interests. But many agents give their fiduciary duties short shrift in their quest for the quickest and easiest path to a closing. Not Warren Reynolds! His name stands for integrity and he takes his fiduciary duties to you very seriously. He’ll steadfastly put your interests first throughout your home purchase or sale. This may make Warren work longer and harder for you than most other agents would. But ultimately, Warren’s diligence and attention to detail is his commitment to an experience that transcends the sale. He wants you to have the confidence and peace of mind that comes with having a true fiduciary protecting you. Discover the difference of working with an agent who does not view you as just another opportunity for a commission – talk with Warren today! 508-561-6259
"Warren was always there for us. Throughout the process, Warren kept on top of all our concerns. Warren worked for us, and looked out for our best interest. He is a very professional and caring person." - BP
Feel safe and well taken care of.