Frequently Asked Questions

First, start by considering your needs. If you are ready to buy a home, can afford a monthly payment and have calculated how much, you should then look at how much space you need and where you would like to live. Make a list of your answers and then compare them to research you have done. This research should include talking to friends and family, exploring neighborhoods, and looking through the “Homes” section of the newspaper.

Referrals are key. Start by asking family and friends if they can recommend an agent they have had a good experience with. Gather a list of agents and talk to each before choosing one. An agent who listens to your needs, who you can trust, and knows the local area well is the ideal agent. They should also have the necessary resources and contacts to aid you in your search. Most importantly, choose an agent you feel comfortable with and who you feel can address your needs as a buyer.

The most important need when searching for a house is determining what fits the way you live. From spaces to features, you new home should appeal to your whole family. Before beginning to look at homes you should create a list of your priorities. Break you list into wants and needs. Make sure the house you are looking at fulfills your needs and has mosts if not all of your wants.

Your community should fit your lifestyle. Many people choose communities based on schools, access to shopping and public transportation, local facilities, and community types. After you have discovered an area that you like, talk to the residents. They know the area and will be your future neighbors.

If you have determined a school district you want to live in or want to find out more information about a particular school district, contact the city, school board, or local schools. You can also ask your Dennison Capen Group real estate agent.

Your Dennison Capen Group real estate agent can give you a ballpark figure by showing you comparable listings. By working with us, you can see comparable sales maintained on our database.

There isn’t a definitive answer to this question as it depends on your needs and the characteristics for each individual home. Older homes may be in more established neighborhoods and have lower property tax rates. However, if you are interested in an older home, you shouldn’t be adverse to maintaining the home and making some repairs. Newer homes tend to use more modern architecture and systems, are usually easier to maintain, and may be more energy-efficient resulting in less upkeep and repairs.

After comparing a home to your needs and wants list, use the HUD Home Scorecard and consider the following: a. Is this a house I can grow into? Is there enough room for both the present and the future? b. Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? c. Is the house structurally sound? d. Do the mechanical systems and appliances work? e. Is the yard big enough f. Do you like the floor plan? g. Will your furniture fit in the space? Is there enough storage space? (Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions.) h. Does anything need to repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace the items? Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year-round? Carefully think about each house you see and ask your Dennison Capen real estate agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

Your questions should deal with the house and potential problems or maintenance issues that may arise. You should always inquire whether anything needs to be replaced, or requires ongoing maintenance (e.g., paint, roof, HVAC, appliances, carpet)? Also make sure to ask about the neighborhood to determine whether the community fits your lifestyle.

Always keep your camera handy. The best way to document the homes you see is to take photographs of each house. This includes the outside, the major rooms, the yard, and extra features that you may need. If you find a house that you need to see again, don’t hesitate to schedule another look with our agents. Also, you can use the HUD Home Scorecard to organize your photos and notes for each house.

You don’t have to visit a set number of homes before you find the one. The most important thing is that your new house meets the criteria you have set forth for you and your family. On average, home buyers visit 15 houses before choosing the one. As long as you communicate with your realtor, you will be able to find everything you are looking for without wasting time.

A home inspector checks the safety of your potential new home by evaluating the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house. He then makes you aware of any repairs that are needed. Generally, an inspector checks (and gives prices for repairs on): the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, the water heater, insulation and Ventilation, the HVAC system, water source and quality, the potential presence of pests, the foundation, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, and roof. Be sure to hire a home inspector that is qualified and experienced. Also, it is a good idea to have an inspection before you sign a written offer since, once the deal is closed, you have purchased a house. If you don’t have an inspection you may want to include an inspection clause in the offer when negotiating for a home. An inspection clause can give you an ‘out” on buying the house, renegotiating the purchase price or specify that the seller fixes any serious problems if they are found.

Inspections are up to you however, if your home inspector discovers a serious problem, you may want to have a more specific inspection. You should also consider having your home inspected for radon gas asbestos, possible problems with the water or waste disposal system, or any other well-being related risks.

Research local building codes and zoning laws to ensure that your house complies with these. Also, check to see if the house is in a low-lying area, in a high-risk area for natural disasters (like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), or in a hazardous materials area. Your Dennison Capen Group real estate agent can help you with these questions.

We will assist you in making an offer. Your offer will include the following information: a. Complete legal description of the property b. Amount of earnest money c. Down payment and financing details d. Proposed move-in date e. Price you are offering f. Proposed closing date g. Length of time the offer is valid h. Details of the deal Remember that a sale depends on coming to an agreement with the seller on price and terms. It does not mean just submitting an offer.

Calculating your offer should involve several factors: what homes sell for in the area, the home’s condition, how long it’s been on the market, financing terms, and the seller’s situation. These are all things that Dennison Capen Group realtors will assist you with. We will educate you and when you are ready to make a offer you will have a good idea of what the home is worth and what you can afford. Be prepared to negotiate. This is very common when buying a home. The buyer and seller may often go back and forth until they can agree on a price.

Earnest money is a deposit you put down to demonstrate your seriousness about buying a property. The money must be substantial enough to demonstrate good faith and is usually between 1-5% of the purchase price (though the amount can vary with local customs and conditions). If your offer is accepted, the earnest money becomes part of your down payment or closing costs. If the offer is rejected, your money is returned to you. If you back out of a deal, you could forfeit the entire amount depending on the contract.