Ready to put your home on the market? Or maybe you’re in search of a great property to purchase. Either way, following certain guidelines will help ensure you handle the process as swiftly and as seamlessly as possible. We suggest relying on the following experts during this time to help guarantee you get the best deal possible and don’t wind up facing any unpleasant surprises along the way.

hand holding magnifying glass over houseHire An Appraiser

First things first, hire an appraiser (or home inspector) to look things over and give you a general overview of what the home is currently worth and what types of repairs will be needed in the near future. Buying a home that hasn’t been inspected can land you in some big trouble down the line! It’s definitely worth investing the money into an inspection now, as it will ensure you don’t find costly issues later on.

This step also ensures you stay safer by making certain that there are no dangers lurking in your potential new home. They can check for mold, radon, and countless other things that could put your family members at serious risk.

Or, if you’re selling, this process will help you get everything you deserve out of your home. Trust us – this is an investment that is well worth every penny spent!

Talk With A Financial Expert

Once your home is appraised, it’s important to talk with a financial expert who can advise you on loan options or see if you’ll even be approved for a mortgage. This is obviously an important step, as no loan means no home! Once everything is good to go, they can also offer advice and guidance for how you can best move forward from a financial standpoint.

Keep in mind that it’s typical for unexpected expenses to pop up throughout this process, and it never hurts to know what you should be prepared for. In the end, you’ll be able to go about things a lot easier (and less stressfully) if you get some insight in this category right away.

Contact A Real Estate Agent

Not sure where to start as far as putting your home on the market? Calling a real estate agent will be your next best step, then! These professionals are trained to help you get the best price available, and they can really upsell your home to potential buyers. In the end, most homeowners wind up getting a better deal when they use an agent, even with them taking a percentage of the final cut.

Along with this, there is a lot of documentation and paperwork involved in the home-buying and -selling process, so working with someone who knows their way around it all can be extremely beneficial. In the end, hiring an expert who has done this multiple times is a smart route to take.

Do You Need An Attorney?

There are cases when an attorney or lawyer is helpful when purchasing a home. While you aren’t legally required to hire one here in California (some states require them), they can be a really big asset if you are negotiating through complicated contracts or find yourself in a situation that’s out of the norm.

Seek Guidance From Friends & Family

Not all of your loved ones are likely “experts” at buying or selling homes, but we dare to bet that there are a few people who are experts on YOU! If you’re feeling uncertain about anything, it never hurts to reach out and seek advice from those you feel closest to. They may offer clarity on certain points, and inviting another perspective into the equation never hurts anything!

Is There A Fireplace? Schedule An Inspection With Us!

If the home has a fireplace in it, then hiring a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do a level 2 inspection is another important step to take. Home inspectors look at the easily accessible parts of the chimney, but they don’t get a thorough look up into it. A qualified chimney technician will send video equipment up your flue to ensure everything looks good and that no hidden damages or concerning issues are present [https://www.csia.org/inspections.html].

All in all, if there are problems with the liner, damage from a chimney fire, or just any type of general deterioration, this is something you’ll want addressed before making any commitments (or at least considered into the cost of the home). This is another instance where paying for an affordable service now is a lot better than pouring thousands into repair work down the line.

Looking for a trustworthy team to hire in San Diego or somewhere in the surrounding area? Turn to Weststar Chimney Sweeps! We are qualified to perform level 2 inspections and, should we find even more pressing issues, we can offer a level 3 inspection, as well. Looking to have problems resolved as soon as possible? We’ve got you covered there, too. We’re the team you count on every step of the way.