 | ||
 |
GREETINGS FROM VERNA ACKER
February has been an extraordinary month in this area's real estate
market. We have seen a great many buyers asking questions and
asking to see property. We have taken many calls from people
who are thinking of selling. Buyers seem to be looking at more
homes and making fewer buying decisions. The volatile interest
rate market may have some effect, causing people to look harder
and consider longer. But, through it all, we have sold several
properties this month, including some that have been on the
market a while.
The main article in this issue of the newsletter is something that
I cannot take credit for. It was sent to me by Home Inspector, Don Melton.
Don works with HouseMasters Inspection Service. www.donmelton.com He brought the article from the Inman News, Tues Dec 14, 1999. The article addresses the need for a home inspection, even when you are purchasing new construction:
The belief that a new home is flawless, simply because it is new,
is an unfortunate piece of popular mythology.
Even when the builder warrants the work for one full year,
such guaranties are of no benefit unless inherent defects are
discovered. Unfortunately, many types of building problems
and safety violations do not become apparent for many years.
A faulty wiring condition might not be revealed until it damages
your computer or causes a fire. Other defects might only be
discovered when you finally resell the property, and the buyer
decides to hire a home inspector.
The list of faulty conditions that have been found in new homes
is extensive and includes such items as:
In one recent case, a new home was built and ready to move
into without any insulation, the buyer moving here from Houston,
asked me "is this important?"
New homes are often presumed to be exempt from human error,
and consequently many close escrow without the benefit of a final
examination. For buyers preparing to make such a large investment,
assumptions about quality of workmanship can be financially fatal.
Your best advice is to take nothing for granted. The cost of an
inspection is incidental when compared to the price of a new home.
A qualified home inspector will most assuredly find items that need
repair. Better to discover them now than after the close of escrow.
Because the month has been so incredibly busy, I am behind
with the updates that you are accustomed to getting. The searches
named below will be for the entire WESTERN RACINE COUNTY
AREA (Waterford, Rochester, Burlington, Norway/Wind Lake,
Kansasville/Dover, Raymond), along with the Walworth
County area of Spring Prairie, and Lyons. The search
goes back to those properties that have been listed & sold since February 1, 2000.
If you would like to have any search done especially for you,
simply get back to us with your criteria. We can search new
listings or we can send you the entire list of properties available
through MLS.
NEW FHA MAXIMUM MORTGAGE LIMITS, as of 12/30/99
Racine & Walworth Counties
1 unit: $121,296 2 unit: $170,130 3 unit: $206,700 4 unit: $238,500
This information is from loan officer, Pam Lanting, Pam.Lanting@mimortgage.com
Some of you may have noticed that you are hearing from
Linda Paul. She is new on my staff and is working to assist
me with buyers. She has expanded our horizons and will
enable us to help buyers more effectively. She has worked
in the real estate business in another state. Between me, Pam,
Gwen and Linda, we intend to give the best possible service to
everyone who asks for our assistance..
Have you heard this one? (excerpts only)
This reminds me of the poem: Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
|
|