Good things to do when buying a house

[PugnacAutMortem]

I'm buying a house here in the next month, and although this isn't my 1st house...it's my 1st house that may have an issue. The house we live in now was completely remodeled from top to bottom (literally, a new roof down to a new sewer line and everything in between was redone brand new a couple months before we moved in by the City of Aurora). So we did the inspection and radon test, but there literally wasn't a thing that they needed to fix before we bought this house.

So since our new house isn't going to have everything redone like our current house, I wanted to know what some good things would be to have done before we move in. I know the inspection and the radon tests are good ideas, and I would think a sewer scope would be a good idea as well, but what else should I do before we close?

[Robb]

One thing to always consider is you're not just buying the house, you're kind of buying the neighborhood and surrounding area. Don't just focus on one piece of property, make sure it all looks good for a mile in all directions.

[PugnacAutMortem]

One thing to always consider is you're not just buying the house, you're kind of buying the neighborhood and surrounding area. Don't just focus on one piece of property, make sure it all looks good for a mile in all directions.

Oh for sure, we kind of learned that lesson with this house we have now. The house is absolutely perfect, but the neighborhood is just so-so. And it's just a hop, skip and a jump from the deep hood of Aurora.

[Ah Pook]

Get a loud barky dog and leave it outside night and day. Neighbors love that kind of thing.

How old is it? What kind of condition does it look to be in?

[eneranch]

A good RE Agent should be able to steer you in the right direction; knowing what pitfalls are prone to happen in that area ie. Crime, Structural Problems (soils moving), Sewer/Water problems, Hail Damage Paths, Lead Paint, Asbestos materials, etc. etc.

Can't ask too many questions.

[kwando]

Where in Aurora? University hospital moving to colfax has pushed a lot of investors in the area to buy those old run down properties to rebuild them. With the potential of the gaylord hotel and business complex, values will inch upwards

[ruthabagah]

If the house is more than 15 year old and you have landscaping between the house and the curb, then yes, you should spend the money for a sewer inspection. Another good point is to drive in front of the house at different time of day/night just to see who is living around you.... The nice, quiet house next to you, could become a meth distribution center after 10 pm or just a frat party house over the week end.

[Great-Kazoo]

If the house is more than 15 year old and you have landscaping between the house and the curb, then yes, you should spend the money for a sewer inspection. Another good point is to drive in front of the house at different time of day/night just to see who is living around you.... The nice, quiet house next to you, could become a meth distribution center after 10 pm or just a frat party house over the week end.

Friday, sat nights and sundays,

[PugnacAutMortem]

If the house is more than 15 year old and you have landscaping between the house and the curb, then yes, you should spend the money for a sewer inspection. Another good point is to drive in front of the house at different time of day/night just to see who is living around you.... The nice, quiet house next to you, could become a meth distribution center after 10 pm or just a frat party house over the week end.

That is an excellent idea that I would have honestly never have thought to do. A bad neighbor can really make your life miserable.

I don't usually recommend home inspectors, but if you don't know what to look for yourself, I think they're a good idea. They'll check a lot of stuff that doesn't matter, but they'll also check some major things you might not know to look for. Some also have insurance so if they miss something, they pay to get it fixed.

The nice thing about my situation is that my dad was a home inspector for quite a few years, so I am going to have him look the place over. I figured he might be a bit more invested than some other guy, cosidering the fact that his child and his grandchildren will be living there.

[Logan]

A bad neighbor can really make your life miserable.

You could even check if the folks next door are the home owners, or renters. I bought a house next door to a rental without knowing it. The original folks living there were great, but the "new" ones that have been there for the last couple years are awful.