Tagged: buying a home in New York

The Most Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make when Having their Home Inspected

Purchasing a home is usually the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your life and you will not want to skimp on necessary things during your purchase process such as a home inspect or a real estate attorney. Making sure you included important precautionany steps during the home purchasing process will be key to you ultimately being happy with your new home.

One important aspect of purchasing a home is making sure that there are no hidden defects in the home’s structure or large appliances such as the hot water heater.  A home inspection report (also known as an engineers report) will reveal any problems with the house and will allow you to make an educated decision with your home purchase.  Having a home inspection done costs a few hundred dollars but if not done can potentially cost you tens of thousands in the long run.

Eventhough you have a home inspection done doesn’t mean that you are completely in the clear there are some guidelines that you will want to follow when choosing a home inspector and when the home inspection is taking place that will help ensure you get the most out of your home inspection and that you won’t get any unexpected unpleasant suprises a few months or years down the road after you move into your new home.

Some guidelines you will want to follow when having your home inspection done are as follows:

  • Make sure you get a home inspection done even if the property is newly constructed
  • Choose a home inspector based on the experience and knowledge of the person not by the cheapest price
  • Be present for the home inspection
  • Follow your home inspector’s recommendations (after all they are the expert in this field)

Following these steps will help ensure that you get the most out of your home inspection.

If you would like more information on purchasing a home you can contact us to receive a free copy of “5 Myths that Can Ruin the Purchase of Your Home“.  We are currently offering this real estate book written by Staten Island real estate lawyer Steven Decker at no cost to those purchasing a home in New York or New Jersey.

 

Extension for First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit in Process and Extension of Increased Loan Amounts: Why it May be the Right Time to Buy a House, Especially in New York and New Jersey

If you are interested in possibly purchasing a house there is some good news in store for you whether it is your first time purchasing a home or whether you are an experienced home buyer.  The extension of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loans to be set at higher loan limits was announced yesterday as the National Association of Realtors thanked Congress for their speedy action to extend the higher loan limits.  The increased loan limits were set to expire at the end of this year but Congress decided that it is in the best interest of buyers, sellers and the economy to extend the increased loan limits through 2010.   FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans will be increased to 125 percent of local median home prices and will have a limit of $729,750 in high-cost areas.   Congress and the National Association of Realtors are hoping that by extending the first time home buyers tax credit and extending the period of time to apply for an increased loan amount the real estate market will be able to fully rebound.

Congress decided on the decision to extend the increased loan limit for FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans earlier this week and the Senate plans on deciding on extending the first time home buyers tax credit and its provisions by the end of this week.   The proposed provisions for the extension of the tax credit includes an expansion of who can apply for the credit which will now include single filing individuals who make $125,000 or less and couples who make $225,000 or less and will be extended until April of 2010.

Those looking to take advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit once the extension is made and are interested in investing in a home may also be interested in applying for state grants (New York state grants for homebuyers | New Jersey state grants for homebuyers) if they are considering buying a home in New York or New Jersey.  Those considering purchasing a home in New York or New Jersey can now receive a free copy of our book “5 Myth that Can Ruin the Purchase of your Home”.  To request a copy of this no cost, no obligation real estate book click here.   This book was written by an experienced Staten Island real estate lawyer and looks out for the buyers interest in a real estate transaction.