What things should I check when buying a house?

1. Roof: Check for loose, missing or damaged shingles, signs of water damage, and any damaged flashing. 2. Foundation and Structure: Make sure the foundation is level, the walls are plumb, and that doors and windows work without sticking. 3. Electrical System: Check the age of the wiring and the circuit breaker box. 4. Plumbing System: Check for any current or past plumbing issues, such as old galvanized steel pipes, backup systems or foundation cracks. 5. HVAC System: Check for proper maintenance, age and energy efficiency rating. 6. Appliances: Make sure all of the appliances, such as the dishwasher, fridge and oven, are in working order and are up to date. 7. Exterior Issues: Look for evidence of termites or mildew, peeling paint, cracked or crumbling stucco, or any other exterior damage. 8. Local Community: Do some research into the local schools, safety, and other amenities nearby before purchasing a house.

A home Inspection done by a professional Inspector is recommended.

Always have a professional home inspection completed. From there you can address any other issues on that report and do further investigations.

James, you should hire a professional home inspector to inspect every aspect of the home.

One thing people should understand right away is that Colorado is a very buyer-friendly state when it comes to the protections built into the real estate contract. Buyers are typically given several opportunities during the transaction to investigate the property and terminate the contract if something doesn’t look right, while still receiving their earnest money back. That said, every home and every seller is different. Homes can come with unique issues, and some things will be discovered during inspections while others may remain hidden, whether intentionally or not. The goal is to reduce your risk as much as possible during the due diligence period. At a high level, there are several important things I always recommend reviewing when buying a home in Colorado. First, make sure the title company is providing title insurance and carefully review the title commitment and any exclusions. This helps confirm ownership, easements, liens, and other legal matters tied to the property. Second, work with a trusted and thorough home inspector. A good inspection can uncover many potential issues before you close. In addition to a general home inspection, I typically recommend a few additional tests depending on the property. Sewer scope inspections are very valuable because sewer line repairs can be extremely expensive. Radon testing is important in Colorado due to naturally occurring radon levels in many areas. Infrared testing can sometimes help detect hidden moisture or insulation issues inside walls and ceilings. Another important step is reviewing the seller’s due diligence documents. This may include past repair invoices, insurance claims, permits, and any other documentation related to work that has been done on the home. If the property is in an HOA, you should carefully review the HOA documents, financials, and rules as well. In Colorado specifically, you also want to check whether the property is located in a metro district. Metro districts can affect property taxes and future assessments, so it’s important to understand how they work and what the long-term costs may be. If you go through these steps thoroughly, you can significantly reduce your exposure to risk when buying a home. However, it’s important to understand that risk can never be reduced to zero. One of the best things a homeowner can do is set aside funds for maintenance or unexpected repairs after closing, because surprises are almost guaranteed at some point when buying an existing home.

Hey James, the things I do for my clients is that I pay for an inspection and I give them the reinsurance they need before they buy the house. Most transactions for a realtor's commission is paid by the seller in most cases but always negotiable between buyer and seller. If you are seeking this type of help for buying your new house let me know We can make sure you feel 100% comfortable moving into your new home. Text or call me at 720-532-5213