Things To Remember When Diving Into Home-Ownership

New home-buyers are entering the Charlotte housing market everyday.  For many of these folks, what to buy, when and how it all works can be troubling and mysterious issues.  Of course, your Realtor should be a constant source of support, information and help but, we always encourage people to think about these few items...Be fully committed to buying a home.  Be aware of what you can afford and are ready to look at the options. 

Don't expect your home search to move at the speed of light! It is typical that homebuyers will see upwards of 30 houses before finding the right one.  So don't get disgusted or disgruntled at the 10th!  Enjoy the process!    When you find the perfect home, buy it. 

Do not try to go through this process alone.  Find a Realtor that you trust and allow them to assist you! Not only are they experts in the housing market, but they also understand the process of home buying and thus are an invaluable resource.

  • Do you have pets? Do you want pets?
  • Do you have large furniture you need to accommodate?
  • How are you getting around Charlotte? Do you want to bike to work?  Do you want to drive?  Do you need a garage?
  • Do you want to start a family in this house?

So make a chart, make a list, talk it out... But before you jump into the pool, have some of these questions comfortably answered in your head.  Buying a home is one time you DO NOT want to have buyer's remorse. 
Bonnie and Daniel Papandrea
704-756-8071 Read more

Posted in Charlotte Homes. Tagged as Charlotte Real estate, Home buyer, Moving.

Inspecting Your Roof

One of the most important steps in almost every single home purchase is the inspection.  It is your opportunity to work with a trained professional and find out everything about your possible purchase. Today we are going to focus on an integral part of your home and that  inspection...THE ROOF.  Your roof has a tough job. It is the first/best line of defense from Mother Nature. Charlotte weather is usually temperate and pleasant, but we've been hit hard by the elements on occasion.  Any weakness in those defensives will cause serious damage as a result of water, hail, ice, or all of the above. So before, during and after inspection remember these rules for your roof!

  1. Outside: Either your inspector, or both of you, should conduct a visual inspection o the roof. See if anything looks out of place, damaged, or missing: missing shingles, damaged flashing, etc.  Any significant problems should be repaired immediately. Conduct similar inspections around any chimney or other outcroppings such as vents.
  2. Inside: Next, inspect the roof from the inside. Go up in the attic and look around for any signs of light from the outside. (Hint: if light can get into your attic, so can water! Any cracks will need to be sealed or caulked (or both.) Also, check all ceilings for water stains, cracking, or warping. If you find any, then you know the water is coming from somewhere. And don't assume that the leak is right above the damaged area; water can run for a distance before it settles in and starts to seep through the ceiling material.
  3. Found Damage? Before closing, we strongly recommend having any roof needs repaired. Otherwise, make a note to inspect it again every six months, since a small problem can rapidly turn into a large one. If roofing repair is needed at any time go with a professional, and get references. With most cases of home repair, hiring the wrong person will almost always result in subsequent problems.

REMEMBER: Your roof should last you ten to twelve years if properly maintained. Make your first inspection the first of MANY...Get in the habit now of performing regular inspections and keeping an eye out for problems as they occur.

Bonnie and Daniel Papandrea
704-756-8071 Read more

Tagged as Fort mill, Home buyer, Rock hill, roof inspection.