What Every Buyer Needs To Know

ho would you prefer to have representing you as a buyer? A real estate broker who also represents the seller? Or a broker who represents
 your interests only, and better yet, at no cost to you? That's right -- no cost to you. For whether you are represented by your own broker, or entrust your interests to the seller's broker, the brokerage commission remains the same and is paid by the seller. If you choose to be represented by
Walt Wilson, our fee comes from a 50-50 split of the commission which is paid by the seller to both agents. This is tradition in real estate transactions.

Remember, we can represent you in the purchase of any Property including HOMES, LAND, RANCHES, COMMERCIAL, APARTMENT BUILDINGS OR ANY OTHER SPECIALIZED PROPERTY like Sub-divisions and 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges regardless of who lists the property.

And unlike a listing agent, our loyalty is to you only. That means:

• We put your needs, your circumstances and your goals above everything else in helping you find and evaluate properties. When we represent buyers only, our only agenda is to find the property best suited for you. This eliminates conflicts of interest that often arise from dual agency.
   

• We ask the hard questions that must be asked of a seller to ensure that you are fully informed about a property’s condition, and real value.
   

• We put your interests first when negotiating price and closing costs, as well as terms for seller financing, creative financing, assumable financing and   buyer confidentiality is always preserved.
   

• We help you navigate the mazes that transactions often present for buyers. And we regularly work with buyers’ attorneys, accountants and other professionals to craft the best possible investments for our clients. This includes advising you on “after sale” issues.

• In the words of Consumer Reports: ""You can't have partial loyalty; an agent either works for you or for someone else."
   

• In some instances, the BUYER can hire the agent to represent him only as a BUYER'S AGENT, paying the Broker a pre-arraigned fee for his services. This fee can be arraigned to be paid through the escrow, and in some cases the fee can be paid by the hour or by the amount of time the Broker Consults with the Buyer. In many cases this can work further to the BUYER'S advantage: and one example is that the offering price can be less (since the selling price can be reduced by1/2 of the commission) which can result is less taxes being paid on the property. This may not seem very much, but on multi-million dollar properties it adds up fast. There are numerous reasons to go Buyer/Broker with the buyer paying his Broker's fee and these can be gone over in detail with a personal meeting with me.

The time has never been better in the Grass Valley and Nevada County area for investing in residential and commercial properties. Make the most of this opportunity by entrusting your interests to a firm that for 30 years has specialized in helping clients build wealth in real estate.

Buyer's May Need A
 Property Inspection Report
For Older Homes.

The majority of purchasers are not overly surprised by the findings of their property inspection. Before getting this far, they have usually had a very close look at the property. And yes, they already know about the peeling paint and old furnace and taken that into account when making their offer.

It is when an inspection uncovers something unexpected that an inspection condition could save you from making a major mistake. Below are some of the more common problems found in a typical property inspection. While most of these problems are usually obvious and have already been reflected in the purchase price, a property inspection lets you know if your personal opinion of the structural condition of the property is correct (i.e. is it in as good shape as I think it is?).

1. Minor maintenance problems:
Poor overall maintenance usually leads to a large range of problems that will require the new property owner's attention. These can include everything from peeling paint to rotting decks.

2. Minor structural problems:
These problems are typical in older properties and can cover everything from cracked plaster to small movements in the foundation. While they are not likely to cause the house to fall down, they should be corrected before they become more serious.

3. Drainage problems:
In many parts of the United States this is a very common problem. Improper drainage can often lead to damp or wet footings/basements. Correction can range from installing new roof gutters and downspouts to installing weeping tiles.

4. Older/insufficient electrical system:
It is very common to find older properties with undersized services, aluminum wiring, knob-and-tub wiring or inadequate/poorly-renovated distribution systems. It is important to have these problems looked into since they are
potentially dangerous.

5. Older/poorly installed plumbing:
It is also very common to find plumbing problems in older properties. Repairs can range from a simple ten-minute fix to expensive replacement. It is a good idea to get an expert opinion.

6. Older/leaking roof:
An asphalt roof lasts an average of 15 to 20 years. It is difficult to estimate roof age accurately from the ground unless the roof is either very new or very close to the end of its lifespan. You also need to know how many layers are under it in order to determine if the roof needs to be completely stripped before installing the new shingles.

7. Older heating/cooling system:
Older and poorly maintained heating/cooling systems are inefficient and could pose a serious safety and health risk. While replacement may seem expensive, the newer more efficient systems do reduce heating/cooling costs substantially, thus helping to recoup your investment.

8. Poor ventilation:
Excessive moisture from un-vented bathrooms can damage plaster, promote the growth of mold and fungus, deteriorate windows and cause allergic reactions. These problems need to be corrected before the damage becomes excessive.

9. Excessive air leakage:
Poor weather-stripping, badly fitted doors, deteriorated caulking and poor seals all contribute to a cold and drafty property. Repairs are usually simple and inexpensive.

10. Environmental problems:
These can include asbestos, formaldehyde, leaking underground oil tanks, nearby gas stations, contaminated drinking water, lead-based paint and radon gas. It is important to discuss these potential hazards with a professional and arrange for a specialized inspection if necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"There is no substitute for experience"