Tips for First Time Home Buyers in a HOT Market: Get a Home Inspection

A headline in a April 2018 St Paul Pioneer Press article reads, "White Bear Lake Man Believes Old Batteries Robbed him of Health and Home". The foundation of his 1939 built lake home and surrounding retaining walls around the property were constructed using emptied out battery casings filled with concrete. 

White Bear is  a community where I have sold many homes, and this situation is highly toxic. While this issue was not apparent to him when he purchased decades ago, it was to a local home inspector who actually mentioned the very home in another article about why get a home inspection. 

This is not only a very sad story and unbelievable situation, this is a reminder of why buying  a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can be costly. The form for a home disclosure in Minnesota wasn't as comprehensive as it is today. A homeowner could get an inspection but not all buyers did. Which is happening again today.

Because of the low housing inventory and extremely high demand for existing single family homes buyers, who are often desperate for their opportunity to own a house, take short cuts. This is not a wise decision. As an professional REALTOR®, it is my job to make certain my home buyers have contingencies in place for the opportunity to have one (or more) professional inspectors comprehensively view the home before moving forward on with their purchase. 

Inspectors cannot see everything but do guide home buyers on where to look further if necessary. In the White Bear home the basement was unfinished and the battery casings complete visible when this family purchased. While this is a very unusual circumstance, home inspectors do uncover many issues that help home buyers make good informed decisions. 

I always encourage a thorough top to bottom home inspection to my home buyers. Buying a home is one time where cutting corners does not make sense--even in a hot seller's market!

READY to Make YOUR Move? It IS essential to have a knowledgeable agent at your side. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call at 651-336-7073 or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
 
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