Home Buying In Kentuckiana

So many questions, so little answers!

Who do I choose for my realtor?  There are several excellent realtors in Kentuckiana to choose from.  Choose one who seems to be knowledgeable about the home buying process.  One who will take the time to find you that perfect home.  Find one whose character you like, one who listens to what you want.  Are they available to show you homes when it’s convenient for you!

What kind of home do I want to live in?  Are you interested in owning a home with a basement, crawl or slab?  Do you prefer a one story or two? Brick or Vinyl?  Condo, Farm House, Manufactured Home?  How many bedrooms and baths do you need?  Garage or no garage?  Small lot or lots of acreage?

Where do I want to live?  Are you a city person who likes to live next to a park or a country person who likes their privacy?  Are you tied to a specific geographic region or will any town work?  Something close to work or you don’t mind if you have to commute?

When is the right time to buy a home?  Are you financially ready to buy a home?  Are the interest rates right?  Will you be able to provide the upkeep necessary on a home?  Is my job secure for long term payments?

Why do home inspectors prices differ so much?  Some inspectors just do the minimum, making sure your home inspector does a thorough job is the most important part of the home buying process.  All inspectors are required to be licensed in Indiana and Kentucky but don’t cut corners where it matters the most in your home buying process.  Their are plenty of Desperate Dan’s  in business and needing work.  Even though someone has a license to perform home inspections not all are truly qualified to trust with the condition of your new home.  Look at what others have to say about them, visit their website, call them, talk to them, and judge their character.  Find one you know, like & trust.  Ask what other offers you may be eligible for when you use their service?  Do they charge you full price again if you don’t buy the first home you look at and need a subsequent home inspection.  Last, do they inspect homes full time or are they a weeknight warrior of home inspections?

How do I get started looking for my new home?  Start by finding a realtor you can trust to lead you in your home buying process.  Talk to your realtor, tell them what you’re looking for and what your finances are.  Do not over estimate your income, you want to be able to keep your home and live comfortably in it financially.  Let your realtor help you chose a lender that is right for your circumstance, one who offers the loans that are the most beneficial to you and your situation.  Be honest with what you want!

What questions do I need to ask my realtor, lender and home inspector?  What type of a payment can I afford based on my income?  What are good locations to buy in?  What are the interest rates? What are the taxes on the home?  Are there any exemption filed on the home for tax purposes?  Is it located in a flood zone?   What are the major problems of the home?  What are you required to inspect & not inspect?  What can I do to maintain my new home in good condition?  Although you can ask an inspector whether a home is worth the money or not, a professional inspector cannot advise you on whether the home is a good or bad investment but rather only advise you on the homes condition at the time of inspection.

Where do I get the answers to the questions I have?  Ask your realtor, your lender or your home inspector about any questions you may have.  Be sure you understand clearly the condition of the home and any maintenance that may be required in the future.  To book your home inspection with a qualified Kentuckiana home inspector call 1-866-417-9591.

Kentuckiana Crawl Space Findings:

Is your crawl space in good shape?

Having a professional home inspection done by a licensed home inspector in Indiana can uncover many different issues in the crawl space area including the following:

Cracked Floor Joist and Band Boards

Standing Water

Plumbing Issues

Termites and Damage

Structural Issues

Rodent Infestation

Certainty Home Inspections services New Albany, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Floyd Knobs, Georgetown, Salem, Madison, Bedford, and Seymour areas.  To book your inspection today call 866-417-9591.

Termites In Kentuckiana

Termite Facts :

• Live for 15 years
• Have 4 wings
• Lay 1 egg every 15 seconds
• Burrow tiny mud tunnels to a source of wood
• Leave sawdust near windows
• Enjoy wood resulting from leaky plumbing
• Can destroy entire house in about 2-3 years
• Found in every U.S. state except Alaska
• Help the food chain by recycling wood for the soil

It is often difficult to determine the difference between termites and ants. Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) and are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.

Also, termites have relatively straight antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.

• Ants generally do not swarm at the same time as termites, but it can happen.
• Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist
• Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae
• Termites have four wings that are all equal in length
• Ants have four wings, however, two are larger and two are smaller