If owning a pool is one of your homeownership goals, you must be prepared for the associated costs.
Buying a home that already has a pool eliminates some expenses, but you’ll still need to budget for upkeep. Chlorine and saltwater pools both require regular maintenance, which will either involve cleaning them yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.
Opting to install a pool yourself also carries some challenges. Building a pool on your property will cost tens of thousands of dollars, and you’ll also need to secure a permit with your city.
Water bills, the cost of electricity to run the pump, and other similar expenses should be accounted for, as well.
These are a few items on the list. Here’s a list of a few more costs to consider.
Homeowners insurance premiums
Pool furniture
A heating system
Cracks and leaks
Will I get the cash back when I sell?
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
For any buyer, the home inspection is a vital part of the purchase process. Here are the five points to understand and follow as you progress through it.
Any buyer in search of a home should be aware of how the inspection process will unfold when the time comes to make a purchase: Here are five key points.
1. Get a home inspection. It’s not enough to find just any old inspector—you’ll want to get one that’s certified. I have a list of long-established, certified inspectors I use that have kept up with state exams and who have made sure they operate with the latest standards.
2. Make sure the inspector is checking off all items on the evaluation. There are hundreds of items in this report and they go way beyond just matters of cosmetics—behind-the-scenes items such as the plumbing, electrical, AC units, etc., will be included as well. The inspection could take between two to four hours, but you’ll want to be present. This is your opportunity to ask questions and to make sure all the boxes have been ticked off the list in both the interior and exterior of the home.
The final walk-through is your chance to make sure that the house’s present condition is no different than how it was when you entered escrow.
3. Ask questions and ensure the specifics are covered. Above all else, you need the inspection to be clear and concise, leaving no room for ambiguity. The report will usually be compiled within 24 hours, and your real estate professional will go over the highlights of the inspection with you to make a judgment on what items need to be addressed, if any.
4. Negotiate items in need of repair with the seller. Who’s going to be fixing those items? The seller may pay for the repairs, they may agree to a credit, or you may forgo making a request from the seller altogether. Safety issues such as fire alarms and detectors should be addressed before closing. Remember: Because the inspector can’t subsequently be held liable, anything that isn’t identified during the initial inspection becomes your responsibility to deal with.
5. Do one last walk-through with your Realtor. This is your chance to make sure that the house’s present condition is no different than how it was when you entered escrow.
If you have any questions about today’s topic or anything else real estate-related, please reach out to me by call or text at 619-379-7664 or by email at KWSmith3443@Gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
