The Denver Metro Area Real Estate Market seems to be leveling out a bit..and after months in a super-hot Seller's Market, we have to say we are relieved!
Inventory has picked up a little, Days on Market are a little longer, and prices are starting to reflect the balance as well. All of these factors might be leading you to think about buying a house this fall - super smart move!
Even though Spring is traditionally known as the optimum time to buy a house, Fall is actually a great time for many of the same reasons - you might be able to feel the house on both warm and cool days as you consider buying it, and you will also be able to see the remainders of the landscaping and exterior features while they are still green and not covered in snow.
There are a few things you should watch for, though, as you go through the house hunt, make an offer and complete and negotiate inspections. We've rounded up a few for this list, but make sure to consult your favorite Live Urban agent, as they likely have even more things that you should be aware of when you are buying a house in the Fall.
1.The AC.
First: Does the placeevenhavean air conditioner? This might be easy to spot if you're house hunting during unseasonably warm temps. But if the weather's already turned, you need to remember that the weather might be cool now,but it won't be forever. Andwith summernine months away, you probably won't even think about it until it's hot out again.
If the homedoeshave AC,you'll want to give the unit a thorough inspection. Your inspector will likelyexaminethe system to make sure it's functioning,but if the unit has been turned off, your agent might need to get a guarantee in writing that the unit is fully functional.
Your inspector will also want to see if the AC's filter has been recently changed, and if the unit is still on, they will try turning down the thermostat to see if the unit runs, thatair is blowing through all the vents, etc. A great inspector will also check out the outdoor condenser, listening for any strange sounds, and make sure the condensation line in the evaporator coillikely found in the furnaceisflowing smoothly. Last, they will examine the ductwork, looking for any rusting orpoor fittings.
2.The Drainage.
Gutters are the obvious thing to check.In the between rainy and snowy seasons, don't forget to check the drainage. In the yard, look for areas where water is accumulating in small puddles, which could indicate a leak in buried pipes or grading problems that need to be addressed before the rainy season.
Your agent will likely recommend that you hire a professional sewer inspector to do a camera inspection of the line, which can reveal problems that could cause a backupas well as a world's worth of annoyances later. Better to know before you buy, and a sewer scope is usually around $100 - a small investment to avoid a problem that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars later.
3.The Surroundings.
Does it look like construction nearby is an imminent possibility?Are there bulldozers and cranes? Empty lots awaiting brand spankin' new homes? Ask your neighbors aboutseasonal street construction nearbythere's nothing worse than having a peaceful, quiet home allwinter until work begins with a literal bang in the spring.
Your agent can also help you investigate - they can look for permits that have been pulled, recent nearby lot or tear-down sales, etc. Of course, nearby development isn't always a deal-breaker, but it's nice to know before you buy what the neighborhood might look like in the upcoming years.
4.The Sloping.
How steep is the driveway? Sure, it's easy to navigate nowbut will it be when it's covered in ice?A less-than-ideal driveway shouldn't automatically disqualify a home, butit's better to know in advance iflate-winter parking is going to be a challenge.
Also,check out the landscaping's pitch around your new home's exterior. Are there any steep hills that might cause water runoff and flooding? What about the area around your basement? If land slopes toward your basement, it could indicatepotential flooding.
5.The Standing Water.
Most of these are movable: trash cans, buckets, birdbaths. But if your home is located on a lake or small pond,there's not a whole lot you can do besides prepare yourself mentally and invest inbug spray and citronella.At the end of the summer, we're all just happy that the mosquitoes have died or moved on to bother poor souls elsewhere. But they'll be backand you should know in advance where they'll be hanging out.
If you're buying in fall or winter, when bugs are hiding,keep in mind the potential ramifications of living on the water.
6.The Windows.
If the windows in your potential home are older (or don't even open), you'll want to replace them immediately - or ask the Seller to do so as part of your Inspection Objection. Otherwise, you risk wasting energy or even breaking them in a freeze.
Don't let fall's peaceful, Indian Summer weather lull you into a false sense of security.When you're buying a home, examine everything that can go wrongeven ifthe rainy winter or spring seem far away.
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