If you are selling your home consider this.

If your house is on the market, or you are thinking of putting it on the market to sell, be warned. As a home inspector, we see items and conditions everyday in homes that cause potential buyers to walk away from the house, for the fear of what that malfunction may bring.  With proper maintenance of a home, many items can be corrected. Here is a list of some of the more common items that scare buyers.

• Mold
• Asbestos
• Underground Oil Tanks
• Lead Paint
• Unsafe Stairs
• Radon
• Problems in the Attic
• Overhanging tree branches

These of course are not the only problems that arise in a home, but typically what buyers are fearful of according to Nick Gromicko, founder of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

By addressing these type of items prior to listing your home, you will most likely have a greater chance of selling your home fast.  You may even want to consider a Pre Sale Home Inspection.  You can read the complete article here about these unexpected home issues.

First Time Home Buyer Tips

For a first time home buyer, our current real estate market may look very frightening, but its really quite the opposite. Mortgage rates continue be be at historic lows, and there is an abundance of homes available, both by homeowners and banks.  Both offer tremendous deals with proper due diligence and hours of walking through homes to find the one that is right for you. Here are some tips from investopedia to help make your first time home buying experience a pain free one.

• What type of home best suites you. Maybe you want a condo/co-op where you won't have much responsibility for maintaining the home. Or maybe you want a fixer up house that you can get a good deal on but will require hours of sweat equity. Or, maybe you want a no hassle home that is in move in condition.
• Before you start looking at homes, know your finances.  How much home can you afford, how much of a mortgage can you qualify for.  Don't waste time falling in love with a home that is simply out of your financial reach.
• Do you want to go about the home search buy yourself, or use the experience of a real estate agent.  A good real estate agent to help steer you in the right direction for many issues.
• You found your home now what. Make sure you have a good real estate lawyer and a good home inspection company.  Both can help save thousands of dollars and help avoid a real estate nightmare.
• Be prepared and know what the appropriate closing costs are. There is nothing wore than sitting at the closing table and being blind sided for fees that you had no idea you would have to pay. A good attorney and mortgage lender will help with that
• Be prepared to put money into your new home.  There is no doubt that something will go wrong in the home, or you will want to upgrade items in the home.  This is where a good home inspection report will help you.
• Enjoy your home and don't worry about the housing market.  If you plan to stay in your home for a number of years. the housing market will stabilize, but don't expect to make a killing on your home like in the past.

The process of buying a home can be overwhelming and time consuming, but with the right help, and with maximum knowledge, now is probably a great time to buy. To gain in depth knowledge about buying your first home, read through this article by Investopedia.