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| Reversible Negatives When Buying A House |
So it's time to buy a house. Whether you're shopping on a budget
or searching for your dream home no matter what the cost, there
are a few things you should keep in mind when you go to view
potential properties.
The bottom line is this: Every house has its drawbacks. The
trick of being a smart buyer is to know which of those drawbacks
aren't so negative, to use them to your advantage when it comes
to negotiating price, and then fix them later at little cost to
yourself. Here are three negatives you may encounter in the
housing world- that you would be doing yourself a favor to look
beyond.
Paint colors. Honestly, if you're buying something as permanent
as a home, what difference does it make what color the walls
are? This is not |
a rental property where you're stuck with what
you get; the house is yours, and the walls are yours to do with
as you please. I have actually heard of buyers turning down a
house because the burgundy walls made it too dark. A
twenty-dollar gallon of paint, or the cost of a painter for a
day if you'd rather not do the work, can recreate a room and
rejuvenate a house. The trick is to see the house for its
possibilities, not its current actualities. Turning down a house
because you don't like the color of the walls is almost as bad
as a woman I heard once turn down a house because she didn't
like the doorknobs!
Appliances. Sure, it's a plus- a big one- if you get a house
that comes complete with up-to-date appliances, already
installed. But |
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this major convenience comes with a price tag.
The reason is simple: Nobody likes lugging in and installing
those things. You're paying to have them there, not necessarily
because they're good appliances. Buy some used ones, have them
delivered or borrow a truck, and save on cost. It's that simple.
Landscaping. This one might be a surprise, since a yard is a
fairly permanent thing. Potential buyers should certainly check
out the property and what lies adjacent to it. But don't be
overly concerned if the previous owners had dogs that tore up
the grass. Planting grass is an easy project that pays off over
time and can increase the value of the property tremendously as
years go by.
If factors like those above are lacking from |
the house you're
considering, you should certainly use it as a bargaining tool in
lowering your final purchase price. A good seller will recognize
that you will incur some out-of-pocket expense to remedy these
things, and they'll adjust the price of the house accordingly.
But turning down a property when the fixes are this simple is
more than just a foolish move on the buyer's part. It's a lost
chance to incur some valuable equity and possibly get a great
home for a much lower price.
About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a real estate expert from Nashville, TN.
Visit http://www.king-of-real-estate.com/ for more information
on real estate, mortgages, and finding the house of your dream.
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