Expert: Jim Root - 2/13/2008

Question
I have been house-hunting for about 5 months and I still cannot find a house that I really, really like(that is, until today).  It is 1313 sq.ft. of living area with lot size of 50x120.  It has a fireplace and a small, but nice kitchen and eating area.  It has been repainted on the inside.  There is only 1 bathroom and it is located between the bathrooms(1 bathroom on one side and 2 next to each other on the other side.  It has new windows, and a new front iron door.  It has a sun room located at the front of the house(completely enclosed with a plant area and with water holes that lead to the outside of the house.  All the house except the batroom and sunroom(that used to be a screened porch) has 20 yr. guarantee laminate floors.  The exterior of the house has aluminum siding which looks to be fairly new.  All the wiring and plumbing is new. It has been newly painted both from the interior and exterior. It has 2 carports, one extending from the back of the house and the other directly across the other carport. It has a detached laundry room directly across the carport(both carport form an L shape. I love the house except that I would not want to rush and buy it without clearing my doubts.  Could the aluminum siding be hiding bad wood and there is a long bench that extends along the back of the house under the carport for sitting.  It looks nice, but how do I check for any problems with the siding? And would a home inspector be able to tell me if the fireplace is in working order(it has ceramic gas logs--that I know nothing about except that I love the way the fireplace looks.)  The fireplace is missing a hose that connects to the gas line. The owner says he'll replace it and it is no big deal.  Also, does this kind of fireplace really warm up the place?   And is it true that gas is more economical than electric?  The stove is gas. This house is cute and I would not want to make a big mistake in buying it.  The house is selling for $89,000 by owner with no chance of negotiation.  The house does seem to have a few imperfections such as bad workmanship of remodeling in the kitchen and the siding in some areas looks a little sloppy.It sits on piers and I want  to know also if the inspector can tell me if the floor is okay.  It kind of feels like it's squeaking, but that could also be because of the laminate floors.  Would a home ispector relief my stress my answering these questions?

Answer
ESTHER--

Yes, I highly recommend that you hire a HOME INSPECTOR to do a detailed evaluation of the condition of the home! I suggest that you tell the Home Inspector EXACTLY what you are concerned about BEFORE you hire him/her! Make sure that the Inspector feels CAPABLE of answering your specific questions about what's beneath the Aluminum Siding,the condition of the floors, adequacy of the "Post-and-Pier" foundation system,whether or not the Fireplace works/meets Fire Safety standards,ETC! Also, before hiring an Inspector, make sure he/she is EXPERIENCED & QUALIFIED.  If your State requires licenses
for Home Inspectors--some do, some don't--make sure your Inspector has a State License to practice.If no license requirement in your State, be sure to use an Inspector who belongs to one of the National Home Inspection Associations!BUT THERE'S MORE!

Esther, you also need a Realtor to act as your BUYER'S AGENT! From all of your questions and the general "tone" of your communications with me, I'm guessing you are a "First Time Homebuyer," not very knowledgeable about the "Homebuying Process," and very "vulnerable!"
It's especially "dangerous" for a "First Time Homebuyer" buying from a "For Sale By Owner (FSBO)" Without a Real Estate professional to help you, you may pay more for the home than it's actually worth, you may end up in a contractual disagreement that has the deal fail before closing--and loss of deposit can happen, too!

You should find a Realtor who will work FOR you! He/she can help you
prepare a written Offer to Purchase that includes the $89,000 asking price plus a Commission to him/her (IE. Offer is made  for $90,500
Price, with Seller to pay $1500 Commission to YOUR Agent for handling the transaction.That way the FSBO actually gets the $89,000 "Firm Price!" and you get the help you need at NO "out-of-pocket" COST to you)The Realtor can also write your Offer to purchase with certain "Contingencies" that are in your BEST INTERESTS(IE,"Subject to clear Title,... to a Home Inspection, ...to ability ..to obtain needed financing," ETC)Without these "Subject to's" agreed upon in the Contract, problems can & often do arise! A good, honest, knowledgeable & hard-working Real Estate Agent working FOR YOU can
relieve much of the stress you're experiencing. A similar Home Inspector AND Mortgage Loan Officer can take care of the rest!

Please don't do this "on your own," get professional help! A "First Time Homebuyer" purchasing directly from a "FSBO" may find the stress overwhelming! GOOD LUCK!

--JIM

P.S. If you can't get a Realtor involved because the "FSBO Seller" says he/she "just doesn't want a Real Estate Agent in the deal," even though the Agent will NOT COST the "FSBO" anything, you should be wary!In such a case, please be sure to have an Attorney "on your side!" Not the "FSBO's Attorney,(he/she's on the Seller's side) not the "Closing Attorney," (who's to remain neutral) but a Lawyer who can advise you & guide you--and ensure that everything's OK for YOU! (JR)