However, it's not expected to execute an actual property examination prior to the signing the preliminary sales agreement, therefore it's probably best to find out as many things as possible regarding the shape of the property through a genuine discussion with the owner as well as doing your own 'mini' inspection by which you can actually see any standard physical damages and other potential damages.
A large number of home owners are amenable to letting you check the house prior to the signing of the preliminary agreement, which gives you some power when negotiating the closing price. The book by Barron entitled 'Smart Consumer's Guide to Home Buying' recommends all future buyers of real estate properties to prepare a list and note any kind of problems and areas of concern before the contract signing. "If you are thinking about buying a house that will need renovation or upgrading, the more value will be derived from your mini-inspection," explains the authors of the book.
Consider making a list for a home inspection report to help you perform a walk-through of the property and also record the overall condition of the St. Paul real estate. Here are a number of the essential areas for you to check:
Find out about how old the house is - you'll have to ask the seller how long since the home was constructed, what types of renovations or new construction took place on the home site, as well as ask for any engineering and architectural plans on hand.
Check the groundwork for potential issues - check for huge breaks or visible water piping problems in the home and also in the basement. Inquire regarding flooding issues or any other issues that are weather-related which have resulted in problems, big or small, on the house in different seasons.
Examine the interior for damages and problems - you'll need to ensure that all doors do not have problems and that the rooms' walls and partitions are flat, even and free of cracks. Take note of any visible cracks or deterioration and take a picture or two of any issues that particularly needs repair. You'll have to examine potential mold problems, odors and check that water pipes are clear and also functioning properly.
Examine the exterior for damages and problems - do all the doors and windows have sufficient insulation? Do they open and close fluidly? Ensure all of the siding, windows and doors are free of breaks and any noticeable damages.
Evaluate heaters and air conditioning systems - inquire with regards to the average cooling and heating costs over a year, and also ask how old the devices are. In some cases, you might need to purchase a new heat and air conditioning devices.
On top of the actual examination survey report, you could consider taking images or perhaps short videos with a digicam so that you can go over everything in more detail later on. This kind of extra footage also can give you an upper hand in the course of the negotiation process with the seller.
When looking for St. Paul homes for sale, the world wide web is an invaluable resource. New homebuyers can use the MN MLS to view current listings of properties throughout the state.