What To Look For When Buying A Home

Buying a home? If so, a prospective home buyer should know what to look for and be aware of many things in a real estate transaction; therfore, I want to focus specifically on three (3) potentially defective construction techniques, installations and materials in Georgia: polybutylene plumbing, synthetic stucco and a particular style of wood-resin siding. By their inherent nature and/or poor installations, these products and materials often result in expensive replacements or repairs. If you plan on using a buyer broker, see if this person has experience in such matters.

During the years between 1985 and 1995 (roughly), one of these products, if not all three of them, will mostly likely be found among homes built during this timeframe. Home buyers do not want to incur the cost, nor the future headaches, of replacing such products. Furthermore, the simple fact that a home may have these materials can create a stigma amongst future home buyers if you buy it -- which affects your resale potential. As a tip, don’t confuse hard coat stucco with synthetic stucco (EIFS); although, because they are closely related, hard coat stucco can still be stigmatized by home buyers, too.

It certainly would be beneficial -- and less time-consuming -- if a home buyer can identify these products before entering into a contract to purchase a home. While the findings of a home inspection may afford the home buyer a way out, you would still have lost the cost of an inspection -- and not to mention your time. A buyer broker with such experience should know what to look for and be able to help you in this area to avoid costly mistakes when buying a home.

Disclaimer: This real estate blog post is intended to be informational reading only, not legal advice. Each real estate transaction is unique unto itself, so this content may or may not apply. Hence, you may not copy, use and/or redistribute this real estate information about tips and/or ideas without prior expressed consent from the author. All Rights Reserved 

Stephen Graham - Associate Broker - Realty Professionals, Inc (770) 491.1494