Protecting Yourself Before Buying That House
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Mary Martin
Published Legal Expert
Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
Published Legal Expert
UPDATED: Jul 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: Jul 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
On This Page
As a new home buyer, prepare yourself to make one of the most important decisions over the course of your life.
For many people, this is their single biggest purchase and a major investment in their future.
However, though buying a house can be a great way to build wealth and create a home for yourself and your family, there are serious risks in making such an important purchase.
As such, some key items should be considered in the process of new home buying. Whether that’s in having ample homeowners insurance, or getting the right inspector, being prepared for a new home doesn’t have to be difficult.
Keep reading as we offer our top need-to-know tips before buying a home. You can also get legal help today by entering your ZIP code in our free tool.
Getting a Home Inspection
The first and most important thing a potential buyer can do is find a certified home inspector.
The inspector knows the ins and outs of what makes a home structurally sound, as well as the relevant building codes, and can observe what you never would have noticed.
It is well worth the investment to hire a home inspector before you consider finalizing your offer. It’s also worth it to invest in an inspector who adheres to good standards of practice.
In fact, any offer that you put in to buy a house should have a clause specifying that the home purchase is contingent on the house passing inspection.
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Details of Your Home Purchase Contract
Aside from making sure your offer spells out the right to have the house inspected, you will want to make certain that the contract for sale is very clear on what you are getting. For instance,
- Will the homeowners be leaving the appliances?
- What about wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, light fixtures, frames, etc.?
You need to know exactly what you are getting as you are buying a house, because even if it passes inspection, you may not be too happy if you move in and find the stove has been ripped from the wall, and you have nothing but a gaping hole.
Getting Help Buying a New Home
These are just a few examples of what buyers need to look out for when dealing with a home purchase. You will need to be sure your rights are protected in every aspect of the transaction, from getting a mortgage, making an offer, to getting a clean title to your home.
Case Studies: Protecting Yourself Before Buying That House
Case Study 1: Getting a Home Inspection
In this case study, we examine the importance of John, a prospective homebuyer, hiring a certified home inspector before finalizing his home purchase. John, excited about his dream home, decides to invest in a professional inspection. The inspector uncovers hidden structural issues and identifies code violations that John would have never noticed. John protects himself from potential risks property with problems.
Case Study 2: Details of Your Home Purchase Contract
In this case study, we follow Sarah, a diligent homebuyer, as she navigates the process of reviewing her home purchase contract. Sarah carefully reads through the contract and ensures that all the necessary details are clearly spelled out. She pays close attention to what is included in the sale, ensuring that fixtures like the stove are specified and in proper working condition.
Case Study 3: Getting Help Buying a New Home
In this case study, we explore how Mark, a first-time homebuyer, seeks legal assistance throughout the process of buying his new home. Mark understands the importance of having his rights protected and seeks professional guidance at every step. From securing a mortgage to reviewing contracts and obtaining a clean title, Mark’s lawyer helps him navigate the legal complexities of the transaction.
Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Mary Martin
Published Legal Expert
Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
Published Legal Expert
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.