At Gambit Inspections, we love helping first time home buyers in the Edmonton, Camrose and Lakeland areas. We provide comprehensive home inspections to give your confidence in your decision. Here are some tips
- Make sure you have enough money – there are closing costs, inspection fees, moving costs. Are you going to need new furniture? Most people are completely broke after the day they move in. If you need a quote for a home inspection, give us a call!
- Use a realtor you can trust – get a referral, feel comfortable with who you are buying with. You don’t have to use the listing agent.
- Don’t be loyal to the bank – a mortgage broker can find you a better rate in many circumstances. Banks can be helpful in discretionary circumstances, but don’t let that pigeonhole you because you got preapproved. The mortgage specialists at the bank can only offer bank services.
- Save money for maintenance – we highly recommend to save some money just in case something breaks down. Systems can and do fail without any warning.
- Meet the neighbors – see if they’re friendly, visit the neighborhood at different times, go on a Friday or Saturday night to see if there is a party house on the street. Check around for shady characters.
- Avoid short term temptations – make sure you like the neighborhood, you can maintain the house, your family needs won’t outgrow the size of the house
- Due diligence – check to see all applicable permits have been issued for decks, etc. Research the crime in the area. If you are looking at Edmonton there is a crime map with great information. Know how much your property tax is going to be.