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Wiling away the hot summer days in your new pool is a lovely fantasy, but taking care of one can be time-consuming.; test the waters before diving in If you’re thinking of buying a house with a pool, you are a rare breed. Many house hunters shy from homes with pools because of the maintenance and the potential for costly repairs if the pool hasn’t been properly maintained. Consider your resale value before you make an offer on a home with a pool.However, pools can be great fun for a family. So if you can handle the maintenance, follow these tips to make sure your new pool is ready for fun.Make sure to get a thorough inspection, preferably by a pool specialist. Some of the most important things the inspector should look for are:Leaks.You can’t enjoy your pool if it won’t hold water. Leaks can come from various sources within your pool, including tears in vinyl-lined pools, cracks or loose tiles in and around cement or granite pools, the filtration system, underwater lights, the heater and the skimmer. Some leaks are relatively inexpensive to repair. However, other leaks can undermine the structure of the pool and erode the soil around it, which could be a very costly repair.Functional equipment.Pool equipment and plumbing can be very expensive to replace. The inspector will check them to make sure they’re working properly and have been adequately maintained. Some inspectors may charge extra for anything other than a visual inspection, but the cost might save you money in the long run.Safety.To prevent accidental drownings, many communities have enacted strict codes regulating pool safety. Some include the requirement of multiple barriers (such as fences) to prevent children from wandering into pool areas unsupervised. Your pool inspector can offer more detailed information on requirements in your community, as well as additional safety measures you can take for your family and neighbors.In addition to an inspection, here are a few more questions to ask and things to look for:Ask who installed the pooland who has been looking after it. Your REALTOR® should know whether the pool company is reputable.Imagine what the backyard will look like in summer, or ask to see photos. Make sure it gets adequate amounts of sun and shade, and check for overhanging trees that will drop leaves in the pool.Ask for a written assurancefrom the owners that all pool equipment works.If there are signs of repair, ask what happened.The water should be crystal clear. If it isn’t, ask why.Review the operating costs. For an average 12-by-24-foot pool, the pump shouldn’t cost much more than $40 a month to run. The heating costs shouldn’t exceed $100 a month. And the chemicals should be approximately $400 a season. If costs are higher, it could be an indication that the equipment will need to be replaced soon.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

The winter is a good time to find home bargains The holiday season (late November through early January) is a great time to find a bargain on a home, so instead of hitting the malls, you might want to take advantage of the slower market.Home sales peak in spring and summer in most parts of the United States. As the weather turns colder and kitchens everywhere begin churning out a series of holiday feasts, people become too preoccupied with the festivities to go house hunting.The slower market has its advantages: Supply and demand.With fewer home buyers demanding a dream house and plenty of listings still sitting on the market, prices tend to drop. Sellers may be motivated to make a deal, especially if the house has been on the market for a while. And you are less likely to enter a bidding war with other potential home buyers, which could increase the cost.Better interest rates.Lower demand also affects mortgage lenders. You may get a better interest rate or see fewer mortgage-related fees at the closing table. Definitely do some comparison shopping to find the best deal for your circumstances.Tax deduction.If you close on or before December 31, you may be able to deduct the interest on your first monthly mortgage payment from your taxable income. You may also be able to deduct any money you pay for points to reduce the interest rate on your loan. Consult a tax advisor to find out exactly what deductions you can claim.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

What are the estimated life spans of all the systems in my house? There is no accurate method to determine exactly how long a particular system is or how long it is going to last. However, below are some tips to help determine the age of some of the features in the home.DishwashersLook at the vinyl-covered wire racks in the dishwasher. The vinyl generally starts to wear off of the tips of the wire rack after about 7-8 years of usage.Excessive vinyl wear would suggest that the dishwasher is 12 to 15 years old, and close to the end of its life expectancy.Storm WindowsFlat-framed windows that are not self-storing are from the 1940s and early 1950s.Mill finished, self-storing windows are from the early 1950s to the early 1960s.White, self-storing windows with a center mullion, used to hold or stabilize the width, started in the early 1980s.Electrical Service Cables (on the exterior of the house)Electrical service cables tend to last 27 to 30 years on the south side of the house and 33 to 36 on the north side of the house.East and west exposures land somewhere in the middle.Standard Asphalt Composition RoofingSouth-facing, dark colored, low-sloped roofs will fail much sooner than north-facing, light colored, high-sloped roofs.In southern states, this may be 12 to 15 years on the south side and 15 to 18 years on the north side.In northern states, this may be 17 to 20 years on the south side and 20 to 25 years on the north side.If the granules between the joints or slots in the tabs are missing, the shingle is failing.Curling and cupping may be indications of age.If the granules are intact, the roof has some remaining life.StuccoIf stucco is not painted, it will last about 60 years on the southern exposure.After approximately 25 years of exposure, the sand starts to loosen and becomes progressively worse until it begins to deteriorate at about 60 years.Painted stucco, if done properly and in a timely fashion, will last 200 or more years.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

1. Arrange financing before you make anoffer.Increase your chances of buying the home you want by getting pre-approved for a mortgage and waiving financing as a condition on your offer to purchase. In a competitive market, sellers have been known to ignore an offer that is conditional on obtaining financing. Some will even accept another offer for less money if there is a firm commitment behind it.2. Know yourlimit.No matter how much you love a home, decide on the maximum amount you are willing to spend and stick with it. Write the number down as a reminder. If you act on emotion or find yourself in a bidding war, it’s easy to forget your limit and wind up paying a lot more than you bargained for.3. Hire a home inspector.A home that has basic curb appeal and a stylish interior may also have a neglected roof, broken furnace or other hidden flaws in need of repair. Know what you’re getting before you buy. Make your offer to purchase conditional on a home inspection. Get the seller to cover the cost of any necessary repairs or deduct the estimated cost involved from your final offer. If the seller is unwilling to accept these terms and you still want to proceed with the sale, be sure to factor in repair costs on top of your mortgage.4. Budget beyond the down payment.There’s more to affording a home than coming up with a down payment and negotiating a mortgage rate. Remember to budget in extra money to cover your moving and closing costs (which can often add up to between two and six percent of your loan). Ask your lender or mortgage broker to give you a Good Faith Estimate of the loan-related fees you’ll have to pay. Your REALTOR® can also help you compile a list of other expenses.5. Get a move on moving.Try to synchronize moving/closing dates so you can move from your existing home to your new home on the same day. Otherwise you may have to arrange a short-term rental or camp out with family or friends and put your furniture in storage. You don’t want to have to move twice. Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

An appraisal is a written estimate of a property's market value completed by an appraiser shortly after you request your mortgage Lenders use an appraisal report to help determine the maximum loan amount you can borrow.A couple of key questions:How do appraisers determine the value?First, they look to recent sale prices for similar properties in the area, and then they inspect the property’s physical condition, checking the interior and exterior.If the appraised value comes back higher than the sale price, you’re not affected.Why is the appraised value important?But if the appraised value comes back lower than the sales price, that lower appraised value will be used to determine your loan amount. You might have to increase the amount of your down payment to make up the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price.For example, let’s say you want to take out a $160,000 loan on a home with a $200,000 purchase price, which means your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is 80 percent. This means you are borrowing 80 percent ($160,000) of the total value of the property ($200,000). Most lenders require an 80 percent LTV ratio before increasing interest rates or requiring private mortgage insurance.If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, say at $190,000, to maintain an 80 percent LTV your loan value can now be no more than $152,000 (80 percent of $190,000). This means you will need to add $8,000 to your down payment to maintain the 80 percent LTV ratio, or pay private mortgage insurance and possibly a higher interest rate.How do you find an appraiser?Your lender might be able to give you a suggestion on a reliable appraiser, or the Appraisal Subcommittee offers a search engine to locate certified or licensed appraisers by name, state, city or countyReady to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

Lenders use your appraisal to determine your loan amount. An appraisal is a written estimate of a property’s market value completed by an appraiser. The value is based upon a market analysis of the prices of recent sales of similar properties in the area and the property’s physical condition. Usually, this requires an interior and exterior property inspection.Why is an Appraisal Necessary?Lenders use your appraisal to determine your loan amount. Your appraisal will be completed shortly after you request your mortgage.Appraisals and Sales PricesIf the appraised value is higher than the sales price, there is no impact to you.When the property appraises for a lower value than the sales price, the lower appraised value is used to determine your loan amount. To complete the sale, you may have to increase the down payment to make up the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price. ...read more

A home warranty protects you from repair and replacement costs on a new home's major systems and appliances. Benefits of a home warrantyHome warranties repair or replace for a limited period of time the mechanical systems and major built-in appliances that may break down due to normal wear and tear.  Most plans are renewable annually.They typically cover:heatingplumbingelectricalair conditioningAdvantages for buyersBuyers are protected from unforeseen repair and replacement costs. The term is usually for one year after the purchase of a home. During this time, a typical customer uses a warranty plan an average of 2.3 times.Advantages for sellersWith a warranty plan, the seller and his or her agent carry a reduced liability for any unforeseen problems that may occur both while a home is for sale and after it is sold. By including a home warranty plan, the seller can strengthen the home’s asking price and reduce marketing time.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

A vacation home, a retirement nest, rental income … whatever your reason for shopping for a second home, you're not alone Second-home purchases have hit an all-time high according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Here are a few practical tips to help you make a good decision when buying a second home:Needs and wantsWhat’s good for your primary residence also applies to your second home – proximity to amenities and necessities, adequate space, solid construction, whether or not you like the community. Also consider how long you will own the property. Will it still fit your needs several years down the road?FinancingWhile it’s not inevitable, you should be prepared to make a larger down payment and pay a higher interest rate than you would for a primary residence. A second home carries greater risk for your mortgage lender, since you are more likely to default on a second home if you hit hard times. You may be able to keep your costs down by financing a portion of the second property with a home equity loan on your primary home. Home equity loans often have lower interest rates than conventional mortgages.Home inspectionA thorough inspection by a qualified professional is important before purchasing any real estate. Termites, carpenter ants, rodents, mildew, leaky roofs, inadequate septic systems and burst pipes from winter freezes are major concerns in some vacation areas.Security, maintenance and insuranceIf your second home will sit empty for significant periods of time, hire a caretaker or recruit a neighbor to watch over the house and handle routine maintenance tasks. A tidy lawn, an empty mailbox and light timers can create a lived-in illusion to help keep interlopers away. Invest in an alarm system and monitoring.Your homeowner’s insurance premiums will likely be higher, particularly if you rent the property out or if it is far away from fire hydrants and fire stations.Tax issuesYou are likely to lose mortgage-interest deductions and may have to pay taxes on rental income if you rent out the property for more than two weeks a year. However, some of your maintenance costs may qualify as business expenses. Consult a professional tax advisor to find out how tax rules apply to your particular situation.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

With careful planning, buying and selling a home at the same time can be a lot easier than you might think Here are some tips to get you started.PreparationHire a team of professionals who are experts in buying and selling homes. Ask family and friends which REALTOR®, lawyer, lender, appraiser, home inspector and mover they’d recommend. Meet with them and discuss your objectives, requirements and expectations right from the start.Communicate with your team of professionals efficiently and regularly. For instance, more and more buyers are asking their REALTOR® to e-mail new home listings to save time and ensure they don’t lose out on a property that sells fast.Ask your REALTOR® to keep you advised of important issues as they occur so you can resolve them together quickly.Help organize all your buying and selling information. Dedicate a notebook to documenting the many dates and details of phone and face-to-face discussions, as well as important transactions.SellingPut your home up for sale far in advance of purchasing a new one. You may want to consider selling first, especially in a buyer’s market. You’ll know exactly how much money you have for your new home. Plus, you’ll decrease the risk of temporarily owning two homes at the same time.Ensure you have ample time to find a new home (in the event that you sell first) by negotiating a long close or convenient rent-back option, where you can stay in the house as a rental tenant until you take possession of your new home.Be motivated to sell; list at a competitive price. If you suspect your home has problems that may hinder its sale, work with a home inspector to coordinate repairs or ensure your asking price reflects the home’s condition.Look at the big picture. You may want to consider a slightly lower offer if it is unconditional, or an offer that gives you more flexibility with respect to the closing date, as is often the case with first-time home buyers who don’t have to sell their existing house first.Speed up the selling process by giving preferential treatment to offers without financing conditions, or insist that buyers be pre-approved within five to 10 days of accepting their offer.Get the buyer of your old house and the seller of your new house to commit in writing to a specific window of dates and negotiate financial penalties to encourage both parties to stick to those dates.BuyingBefore you list your home, do a little digging and see what’s up for sale in your price range. Little within your reach? You may want to hold off on selling until you buy. When you do, negotiate a long close to give you the necessary time to sell.Don’t waste your time looking at properties you can’t afford. Do the math and determine your budget. While you’re at it, select a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage.Once you’ve found a property that seems perfect, have it professionally inspected and ensure you can get insurance before you make an offer.Give yourself enough time to review all the paperwork. From the get-go, tell your REALTOR® or lawyer you’ll need ample time to see and sign the closing documents.MovingOnly move what you need and love. Donate old and seldom-used clothes, housewares and furniture to charity. Regardless of the season, do some spring cleaning so you’re not packing what should really be tossed out.Organize your move by utilizing to-do lists and home-inventory lists (available from your REALTOR,® mover or the Internet). Make a master list of the items you pack and code all the boxes to ensure nothing gets lost and the movers can carry everything to the appropriate rooms in your new home.Give your utility providers, postal service, associations and other contacts plenty of notice of your pending move and arrange new start dates for services at your new home.Make sure you keep all your moving-related receipts. They could be tax deductible, depending on why you’re moving. Talk with a tax advisor to see if you’re eligible.To make moving into your new place as easy as possible, pack a separate bag for everyone in your family containing clothing, toiletries, medication, work/homework, bedding and other items they’ll need the first day. Also, put together a moving-in toolkit for assembling furniture, etc.Trouble-shootingThings don’t always work out the way we plan -- especially when buying and selling homes. Life can get stressful and costly when you buy a new home before you sell your existing one or sell before you find something you want to buy. The good news is there are options.In a situation where you need to carry two homes for a limited time, look into bridge financing. Backed by the equity in your old home, bridge financing is a loan to cover the down payment on your new home. It’s a great short-term solution, typically available for prime plus two percentage points.If you have good credit but your income isn’t high enough for you to qualify to carry a bridge loan plus two mortgage payments, consider a no-ratio mortgage, which doesn’t take into account your debt-to-income ratio. You’ll incur a higher interest rate but you can refinance later, once your situation is more stable.Alternatively, you could obtain extra funds by drawing on a line of credit on your old home. The interest rate is likely to be more than a point lower than on a bridge loan. The only downside is that you might have to pay a penalty fee if you sell the home within a year.Should you need interim housing, there are always short-term rental properties (some even come furnished) and affordable storage facilities. Or perhaps you can even stay for a short time with family or friends.Have children? Talk to school officials in both neighborhoods to work out the best schedule. For instance, if you’re not taking possession of your new home until the middle of a semester, with proper documentation, a new school may allow your children to start before you officially move in.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

Quick decision-making is key to a successful long-distance move. Suppose you’ve agreed to relocate to a faraway community at the request of your employer. You’ve researched your destination, chosen a REALTOR®, identified some homes that might meet your needs, and made a checklist of your home-shopping priorities. Next, you’ll be ready for your house-hunting trip, during which you’ll tour for-sale houses, select the one that you want to purchase and try to make an attractive offer to the seller.Be ready to actOne of the biggest challenges of buying a home in a hurry is being ready to transact when you embark on your house-hunting trip. You’ll want to know your budget, be preapproved for a mortgage, be familiar with the basics of a typical real estate transaction, and be willing to trust your Realtor’s advice about the local housing market. You won’t have time to waffle, hesitate, dilly-dally or even sleep on your decisions.Having to act in a hurry means you might feel a heightened sense of remorse or start second-guessing yourself after you’ve made your decision. Those responses are natural and don’t necessarily mean you made a poor decision or bought the "wrong" house.Take your timeEven savvy and experienced home buyers can become exhausted and overwhelmed if they try to tour a dozen houses in one day. Limit yourself to no more than, say, half-a-dozen properties on each day of your trip, and be sure to allow plenty of time before you leave town to decide which home you want to buy and make an offer. If you’re house-hunting with your spouse, stow your temper and bring along plenty of patience.If you find a house that fits your budget and meets your needs, it’s okay to forgo your tour of other properties and focus on that house. Don’t keep looking just because there are more possibilities on your list.On the flip side, if you don’t find any houses that meet your needs, you might want to rent a home when you first move to your new community. Remember, it’s easier to exit a temporary rental than it is to sell a property that wasn’t suitable for your needs.If no one house is the obvious choice, but you still want to choose among a number of possibilities, focus on your priorities and your must-haves checklist: Is a certain school district a requirement? Which properties are closest to your workplace or convenient transportation routes? Which house would best suit your lifestyle? If you plan to relocate again within a few years, you might want to consider the likely resale value of the properties as well.Make a strong offerMake an attractive offer for the house you’ve selected because if the seller doesn’t accept your offer, you won’t have time to start over and negotiate another deal. Offer a fair price, avoid unnecessary contingencies and don’t nitpick over defects you can repair after you’ve bought your new home.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

What should you be looking for when buying a home in a new neighborhood? Finding the right neighborhood can be just as important as finding the perfect house. Most good neighborhoods tend to share the following characteristics:Access to an economic centerMost people want convenience. That means an easy commute to their job as well as living close to shopping and restaurants. Although a good neighborhood does not have to be right next to any of these things, it should at least have easy access to them. Nearby public facilities such as libraries, as well as nearby parks or walking trails, also add appeal.Good public schoolsFor anyone who has children or is thinking about having them, good schools are essential. A good neighborhood feeds into a well-regarded school system. Information about schools in the area can be obtained by talking to local parents and most states provide test scores and other pertinent school information online. Interested parents can also visit schools in person to get a better feel for what they are like.Solid reputationA good neighborhood appeals to a wide variety of people. Numerous factors play into that: well-manicured lawns and well-maintained homes, as well as junk-free properties. A good neighborhood also tends to attract a high percentage of homeowners as opposed to renters. Low crime rates are also important and can be researched online.When buying a home, it’s wise to keep in mind what other people will think of the neighborhood. It should appeal to a broad spectrum of potential homebuyers. Choose a location that’s convenient to shops and services, has good schools and a good reputation. A good neighborhood will add value to your home and make it easier to resell in the future.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

Savvy home shoppers use these events to research for-sale homes and real estate agents. Home buyers all too often walk out of an open house simply because they didn’t like the home, but without taking advantage of this prime opportunity to pick up useful information that might aid their search for a home.Questions to ask at open housesOpen houses rarely result in the sale of the home that’s being held open. Rather, these events are a popular way for real estate agents to prospect for more business. Consequently, many open-house agents are very willing to share helpful information about other homes on the market.Questions you might want to ask include:What are the most attractive features of this house?What’s the rationale for the asking pricing?What other houses have sold recently in this area?What was attractive about those houses?What were the asking and selling prices?What other houses are on the market?What are the attractive features and asking prices of those houses?What other houses might be coming on the market?Take digital or Polaroid photos of each house and make notes of what you liked or didn’t like about it, so you’ll later be able to remember and compare all the houses you’ve seen. Collect the real estate agents’ business cards and note on the back of each card whether or not the agent was helpful.Watch out for ringersA crowded open house can seem like a bizarre cocktail party sans the alcoholic beverages as visitors mill about and inspect the premises. At times, you’ll overhear other visitors make comments about the house. If you overhear a comment about a specific defect, investigate further. But otherwise, take these comments lightly since other people’s opinions are likely to differ from yours and you won’t know whether those people are serious buyers, curious neighbors, sales agents, or even friends or relatives of the seller. Ringers are highly unusual, but you don’t want to be the victim of one nonetheless.Choose an agent with careWhen you speak with an open-house agent, don’t disclose how much you want to spend to buy a home, how soon you want to move or other details of your personal situation. One risk of such disclosures is that you might find yourself at a disadvantage if that same agent also represents the seller of another house you later decide you want to buy. Another risk is that you could unwittingly create an unwanted agency relationship with that agent. Agency laws vary by state, yet there’s no reason not to err on the side of caution rather than disclose too much about your personal situation.If you feel comfortable with an agent you meet at an open house, you might want to ask that agent to help you shop for a home. Choose an agent who is ready, willing and able to meet your individual needs, and never sign a contract or disclosure form that you haven’t read or don’t fully understand.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

There are pros and cons to downsizing. Consider your finances and lifestyle before making a decision. The kids will soon be off to college and out of your home. Should you run out and sell your house? It’s not a simple decision.Factors that may encourage you to stay include:Do you want a place for your children and grandchildren to stay when they visit?Are you emotionally ready to leave?Factors that may encourage you to downsize include:Do you need a smaller home because of financial reasons or other circumstances?Would you be better off if you saved money on your mortgage payments, or do you need the profits from selling your house to live on?Do you need to move to be close to a spouse who is in a nursing home?Can you and your spouse still climb the stairs every day to an upstairs bedroom?Make sure it’s affordableIf you decide to downsize, make sure the place fits both your pocketbook and your lifestyle.Ask a REALTOR® how much he or she will charge to sell your house. Then determine how much you will end up with from the sale. Under current tax rules, up to $500,000 (if you are married and file jointly) in profits from the sale of your principal residence are not taxable as long as you’ve lived there for at least two of the previous five years. Up to $250,000 in profits are not taxable if you’re single. Consult a tax advisor to discuss your situation.Look into how much it would cost to move and to maintain a smaller home. Make sure it really is cheaper to live there.Decide to downsize only once you’re satisfied that the finances make sense.Buy into your new lifestyleA smaller house in your current neighborhood could be the right decision if your priority is maintaining close ties to neighbors. Just make sure there are amenities like public transportation and stores nearby if your health begins to deteriorate.A condominium or a unit in a retirement community could be perfect if you never want to mow again, or if you want to focus on travel, hobbies and perfecting your golf stroke in the company of other seniors. Just remember you’ll have to pay maintenance fees for the upkeep of the common areas. Talk to current residents to see whether they’re happy with the way things are run. Also investigate the rules. If the association forbids pets and you’re a devoted dog-owner, be prepared to move on.You may prefer to purchase a duplex or something similar. Renting one of the units will bring in extra income, and you’ll have built-in neighbors.If you’re adventurous, you may even opt to move to another state or country. Make sure to visit first, get your paperwork in order and anticipate seeing less of the people you leave behind.Finally, be prepared to sell or give away furniture and other possessions. You’ll have less space for everything after downsizing.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more

Use our tips to make sure the washer and dryer in the house you’re thinking of buying are in good repair. You’re in negotiations to buy an older home and the seller offers to throw in the washer and dryer to persuade you to notch up your offer. Before you jump at the deal, ask the owner about the appliances and carefully inspect them.You can also ask your home inspector to evaluate the appliances’ age and serviceability, but first find out what appliances your state requires the inspector to check and whether he or she must gauge their efficiency or estimate their life span. Your best bet is to take it upon yourself to be thorough and know what you’re getting.Your real estate agent can ask the seller for the purchase, warranty and repair receipts. This will tell you the age and reliability of the appliances. Older appliances typically demand more energy so assume the higher the energy bills, the older the appliance.When taking stock of the appliances, the laundry room is particularly important because problems with washers and dryers are costly to repair. Most laundry appliances will last about 12 to 14 years. To test them, turn them on and note whether all the cycles work; whether there’s adequate water pressure as the washer fills and whether the dryer gets warm; and whether there are any leaks or squeaks – signs of worn belts. If the dryer vent is vinyl, it will have to be replaced as vinyl ducts are flammable and are now in violation of safety codes. Next, check the washer hose for cracks, corrosion or blisters, which are signs the inner hose lining has deteriorated and could rupture. Positive features to look for include delicate or hand-wash settings, larger load capacities, low noise level while running and conservation functions, as these indicate newer models.If you have children, an older washer or dryer could pose another danger. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that small children can climb in, become trapped and possibly suffocate. The CPSC has guidelines for childproofing your working appliances and those you are discarding.Even if the appliances work perfectly, replacing them when you can afford to do so will likely save money on your energy bills. In 2003, Americans saved $9 billion by installing ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? Get information on nearly 200,000 homes in Massachusetts.http://vow.mlspin.com/clients/SignUp.aspx?id=58510&PageType=11 ...read more