Pensacola Florida Real Estate, Perdido Key Homes for Sale - Licensed in Florida and Alabama

1. Find a real estate agent that's simpatico. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality. 2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, any more than there's a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long. 3. Don't ask for too many opinions. It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision. 4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go. 5. Don't try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love. 6. Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum. Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself'room size, kitchen'that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it's like to live in your new home. 7. Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers. 8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don't leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate. 9. Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits. 10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home's most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live. Next page

1. What are your qualifications? Are you a member of the American Association of Home Inspectors? 2. Do you have a current license? Inspectors are not required to be licensed in every state. 3. How many inspections of properties such as this do you do each year? 4. Do you have a list of past clients I can contact? 5. Do you carry professional errors and omission insurance? May I have a copy of the policy? 6. Do you provide any guarantees of your work? 7. What specifically will the inspection cover? 8. What type of report will I receive after the inspection? 9. How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to receive the report? 10. How much will the inspection cost? Adapted from Real Estate Checklists & Systems. This appears in the September, 2003 issue of Realtor Magazine Online

What Your Home Inspection Should Cover Siding: Look for dents or buckling Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value, the more effective the insulation is) Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, dry wall that is pulling away. Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating. Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating. Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors. Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor'cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism. Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell. Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof. Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family. Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.

Be sure that: repairs you've requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and any related warranties. all items that were included in the sale price'draperies, lighting fixtures'are still there. screens and storm windows are in place or stored. all appliances are operating. intercom, doorbell, and alarm are operational. hot water heater is working. HVAC is working. no plants or shrubs have been removed from the yard. garage door opener and other remotes are available. instruction books and warranties on appliances and fixtures are there. all personal items of the sellers and all debris have been removed. Be sure that: repairs you've requested have been made. Obtain copies of paid bills and any related warranties. all items that were included in the sale price'draperies, lighting fixtures'are still there. screens and storm windows are in place or stored. all appliances are operating. intercom, doorbell, and alarm are operational. hot water heater is working. HVAC is working. no plants or shrubs have been removed from the yard. garage door opener and other remotes are available. instruction books and warranties on appliances and fixtures are there. all personal items of the sellers and all debris have been removed.