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Make yourself at home in the Tri-State with local Realtor Todd Nelson. Find out current market conditions in the area, what to do to prepare your home to sell, remodeling tips to maximize value, where new subdivisions are being built, about current interest rates and more.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Why Have A Home Inspection?

There are various steps in the purchasing process, but one very important step to address is a home inspection. Although not usually a requirement, I recommend that everyone get a home inspection before purchasing a home. As a Realtor, I do not know everything about the home that I am selling. I use the knowledge obtained from the seller and what visually can be seen during a visit to the home in marketing the property. Sometimes the seller does not know of issues that may need addressed on their home.

A home inspector is usually more thorough than an appraisal on the property which is more focused on the features, overall condition, and value of the home. The home inspector also is usually hired by the buyer to inspect the home. Some of the items inspected, but not limited to just these items are the structure, the heating/cooling system, electrical, plumbing, attic, crawlspace or basement, roof, and other parts of the home. The inspector will usually give the buyer a written report detailing their findings. Some inspectors identify the items as a major concern, a safety issue, or to monitor the issue. You can visit the West Virginia Association of Home Inspectors at www.wvahi.org for more information about local members and home inspections. In West Virginia, home inspectors are required to be licensed and more information on home inspector licensing can also be obtained from the above website.

A home inspection gives a buyer more knowledge about the home that the buyer plans on purchasing. This inspection should also help with informing the purchaser of possible future repair costs. Costs of home inspections vary from around $250 to $500 and possibly more depending on the size and age of the home. Ask the home inspector their costs, education background, and you can also ask other questions listed on the above website. A home inspection provides a buyer with more information on the property that the purchaser may not have known from visually viewing the home on their own. Feel free to contact me with any other questions that you might have on the subject.

Did you know that a lot of records from our local courthouses are online?

Technology has allowed for easier access to courthouse records in our region. Searching for certain records are only a click away. You can visit the Cabell County Assessor's website at http://maps.cabellasessor.com. Various information on properties and even flood maps are online there. You can even see a satellite picture of your property there as well.

Some of Wayne County's records are also online. The website address for http://www.waynecountywv.us. Tax records, deeds, and numerous other information is available there as well. Look at the deed to your property. Records can actually be viewed on there website.

Various Lawrence County Ohio records can be viewed at two different websites. One website is for the Lawrence County recorder's office. The web address is http://www.lawrencecountyohiorecorder.org. You can view deeds there along with other documents as well. Another website for additional property information is located at http://www.lawrencecountyauditor.org. Property and tax information can be obtained there along with some other helpful information.

If you have a real estate related question please email me at todd@toddnelson.com.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Do you have a real estate related question?

Since last fall, I have been writing about various topics concerning the real estate industry and our area. For the next several weeks, I would like to answer readers questions concerning remodeling ideas, the home buying process, what is going on in the Tri-State area dealing with home sales, etc. Please respond to my blog or email me directly with a question at todd@toddnelson.com. Stay tuned for some of the readers questions and my responding answers. Have a great week!