the property has been on the market and whether it was previously listed, withdrawn, and/or relisted for a lower price. These kinds of questions can help you decide how much to offer. You’ll also need detailed information on the property, most of which will be available from the public records. A bit of research online will disclose the owner's name, original age of the home, mortgage history, parcel number, previous property sales, property deeds, and any judgments or liens filed against the seller. Information about how much the property taxes are and whether they’re paid or in arrears will also be available in the records. You’ll also be able to see if permits were obtained to improve the home. These permits could complicate the sale of the property if workers attach liens or do not complete improvements up to code. Please don’t skip this search because it reveals important information about the property you’re interested in and could save you money. You can get this information through your agent since most agents subscribe to services that give them access to such data. If you’re not using an agent, you can obtain this information through a local title company or order online for a small fee.
MAKING THE CHOICE
Once you’ve done all your homework, you must decide whether to buy the house. You must step back and evaluate all the information available from viewing the house, inspecting its condition, and obtaining public records. Keep in mind: • You will likely need to compromise on some of your priorities. No home is perfect, and a first home is often a 48
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