Services

The Home Buyer

Congratulations!

You have decided to purchase or attempt to purchase a home. The reasons people decide to buy a home differs only slightly from buyer to buyer. Most want a better place to live, more space, something to call their own and not have to pay rent ever again. Paying rent will never make you wealthy, where buying a home (correctly) could certainly put you on the right track to a good investment.

Buying a home can be intimidating and overwhelming. When you venture out to purchase your first home, you will face an array of professionals. Realtors, attorneys, accountants, mortgage brokers, builders, sellers, contractors, insurance agents, and more are all vying for your business and each has a stake in you successfully closing on a home. Think about this, which of these professionals is looking out for your best interest and how you are spending your money? The only professional working for you… are those you pay directly. That would be your attorney. Unfortunately, your attorney does not visit your prospective home and advise you on the condition of the property, or advise you on the conditions of the neighborhood, schools, transportation, landscaping, or other details that you should know before you make THIS IMPORTANT decision. But I do.

First time buyers are sized up very quickly by the professionals and regardless of how honest and sincere they may appear, your best interest is not necessarily their best interest. If you do not buy, they are not paid. Even those individuals who have purchased homes in the past end up making serious mistakes.

So what is it that I, the consultant, can do for you.

Carefully consider the 10 benefits to the homebuyer.

Assist, guide, educate and help you achieve your goal in a financially responsible and fact-orientated manner. I work for and report directly to you, my client. My goal is not to sell you a house, but more to help you understand what it is you are buying. If I feel that a particular home is not right for you, I will tell you that in plain simple English and reasons why.
Attending to the hearts desires while staying on track financially. Most people buy a home because they fall in love with it. You must have heard someone say. “Oh we just fell in love with that house.” And they are ready to buy, without really knowing anything about it’s structure, or the thousands of parts that make up the house or what the house is really going to cost them over time.

I was with a realtor recently in a home that was being inspected. The buyers and clients of the inspector were a young couple making their first commitment in home buying. The young lady could only talk about how she was going to decorate and the young man was not listening to the advice of the inspector. I saw many problems with this property that the inspector was passing over. I wanted to tell this couple to find a different house, but it was not my place to comment and I could not interfere with the business between the inspector and his client. The young couple had been looking on and off for two years and had lost bids on two other homes, recently. They were restless and getting impatient. Regardless of any problems brought to light by the inspector, the young couple were determined to go thru with the purchase. They were buying with their hearts, not their heads.

Reduce time and energy. Buying a home is time consuming and requires attention to details, many details. Shopping for a home is physically and mentally demanding. If a client opted to perform his own attorney work, how much energy and time would it take to learn and understand the procedures and then implement those procedures properly. Hiring an attorney to help with a closing to keep your investment safe, now and in the future is similar to hiring a home consultant. He helps protect you and your investment now and in the future.
Clearing the path. Over the years, I have purchased and sold many homes and I have had to deal with the entire parade of professionals and in doing so, I have gained substantial knowledge and experience in negotiating thru the jungle of requirements, paper work, and seemingly endless obstacles that are placed in front of a buyer.
Understanding the real cost. Most home inspectors will point out deficiencies with a home. As a licensed New Jersey inspector, I can do this as well, (when hired as an inspector only). There are however, numerous requirements and limitations set by the state and the accepted standards of practice. As a consultant, my work can take a much broader view and many less limitations. Here are just two examples. State licensed inspectors are not to report on conditions on the landscaping.

One home (see photo below) had a large tree in the front yard that was been hit by lighting, was severely damaged, and had extensive rot to the trunk. The tree was susceptible to falling into the road, potentially hitting cars, pedestrians and taking out electrical wires and or hitting the house. It is a liability and cost that the homeowner will have to address eventually and needs to be aware of. Most home inspectors will not report this because it goes well beyond the standards of practice. It is not part of there job and they are not being paid for it. As a consultant, I find it necessary to report these findings to my clients.

	From this photo, you can see how high the damage extends and the electrical wires in the background.
	This photo of the same damaged tree shows the proximity to the street and vehicles.

Example 2: In the situation with the young couple buying the home in reason #2 the question was asked several times by the couple “is this a good home to buy”. New Jersey licensed home inspectors are not allowed to state, if the home is a good buy. It is not their job. However, as a consultant, I can state my opinion and in that case, I would have explained to the clients to keep shopping and given them 20 reasons why.

Liaison between seller or broker.It is better sometimes, not to let the seller or broker know that you are interested in a home. In addition when you show up at a home of interest and present your consultant, it signals you are an educated, informed and savvy buyer. The brokers know you are not going to buy a house just because it is clean, well lit, smells good or well decorated but that you are interested in knowing the facts about the structure and that all the indicators show your investment is sound now and for the future. The brokers and sellers will know you will have the advantage in negotiating.
Relieve the pressure. Homebuyers are often under pressure to purchase a home for a number or reasons. Sources of pressure may include family, that want you out on your own. Certainly, the realtors will tell you that you must move fast, there are three other interested parties, in this property. However, the worst pressure is the self-inflicted type. When home shoppers find they have lost bids on a home they feel tremendous pressure to make a quick decision or they will lose out again. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rarely is a deal so spectacular, a once in a lifetime opportunity or the deal of the century that warrants a fast or impulsive decision. Often, when a home shopper looks back at the “deal” they lost, they are often thankful.
Dealing with the maintenance issues. Any home large or small will have maintenance cost. Normally, more maintenance is required on homes that are larger and older. To be financially responsible the client must realize to protect his interest in a property, basic maintenance procedures must be in place and followed. I have created maintenance schedules to fit life styles and budgets.
My time and fees are completely flexible. You pick and choose what degree you would like my expertise. My service is all about value.
The client has the final say in any home buying decision. I will do my research, state my findings and provide you with a summary of my opinions, but the client always decides for themselves what is best.