Resources For Buyers

Document Inspection and Investigation:

Verify what matters to you - It is up to you to do so...

Information Generally
MLS Information
Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement
Real Estate Sale Form (Sale Agreement)
Financing
Title Report and Commitment
Homeowners’ Insurance
Square Footage and Acreage
Homeowners’ Association Documents, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form

"You can have a Realtor be a Buyers Agent (Exclusive Buyers Agency) were they are on the buyers side and represent the buyer. Or a sellers agent or both. You can ask our featured Realtor to represent you as the buyer if you are the buyer or seller if you are are the seller."

Inspections:

Consider getting all the inspections done that you feel are needed and gaining a clear overview of what is important:

Pest and Dry Rot Inspection: http://oda.state.or.us/dbs/search.lasso#pesticide
Plumbing & pipes (primarily for older buildings) Lead, corrosion, leaks, etc.
Electrical service capacity and integrity of wiring.
Defective Products and Materials.
Repairs and Remodels.
Sewer and Septic Systems.
Wells.
Underground Oil Storage Tanks.
Environmental Hazards.
Wood stoves.
Mold.
Smoke Alarms.
Deaths, Crimes and External Conditions.
Neighborhoods.
Toxic Releases, Air Traffic, Pesticide spray (trains, highways etc) and other things like is "The Dump" next door?
Water Quality Report.
Radon check/monitoring.

What's To Know? Wow, there is so much to know that one might wonder where to begin.

"At VitalBodies.net we are primarily a site for buyers. We are not sellers and are not licensed to sell. We wanted to create a site that is a paradise for buying. We also want you to be able to buy when you are ready to, so we have our featured Realtor who is licensed to sell."

CCB For Consumers: (This is who usually does the work suggested by the inspectors)

Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB):

Before hiring an inspector, as a buyer, you can check with the CCB to determine the inspector’s current license status and whether there are any past or pending claims against the inspector.

How? Do a CCB Search: Check on a Contractor's License

You can also review state home inspector requirements and standards of practice (for inspectors) on-line at: http://ccbed.ccb.state.or.us/WebPDF/CCB/Publications/hi-s-sop.pdf
This will let you know most all you need to know to be a savvy buyer in terms of investing in inspections and what you can expect and what is not allowed so you know if they are being straight with you.

Additional information about inspections and inspectors is available from the Oregon Association of Home Inspectors at: http://www.oahi.org

Fees and Costs:

Available local utilities services and fees.
City/state/County fees taxes and any restrictions, etc.

Incentives and Tax Cuts:

First Time Home Buyers Tax Cuts. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=203083,00.html
Green/eco incentives: http://www.energytaxincentives.org/consumers/
Up to$8000 Tax Credit: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/index.html

ECO:

If you need appliances for your home go green go eco:

EnergyStar: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.
EnergyStar: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home.index
Choose optical non-ionizing smoke detectors rather than the ionizing (see below) ones with radioactive Americium.
Energy Tax Incentives: http://www.energytaxincentives.org/
Energy Efficient Home and Vehicle Tax Credits: http://ase.org/content/article/detail/2654
LaneElectric Rebates: http://www.laneelectric.com/rebates.htm
Central Lincoln: http://www.cencoast.com/Energy%20Efficiency.html
Home Depot Eco options: http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/index.html?

Utilities:

(Consider looking up your areas Chamber of Commerce for some nice lists of what is available and who to contact)

Power
Water
Gas
Phone
Cable
High Speed Internet

Additional Information:

Oregon Real Estate Agency: http://www.rea.state.or.us/
Oregon State Government: http://www.oregon.gov/
Association of Oregon Counties: http://www.aocweb.org
League of Oregon Cities: http://www.orcities.org
Oregon Association of REALTORS®: http://www.oregonrealtors.org
Dune City: http://dunescity.com

Oregon Property Buyers Advisory:

OREGON PROPERTY BUYER ADVISORY - A CONSUMER INFORMATION PUBLICATION OF THE OREGON REAL ESTATE AGENCY.

Clearly the document has a slant (as it is was created for a specific purpose), but it also has a lot of quality information.

Below we thought we would list some things to consider. A TO DO list so to speak.

Consider Taking Some Video:

Often you end up seeing and noticing things you might not have otherwise. Pan very slowly, give your self enough time to really notice all the details and use a tripod if you have one.