| Well, here I am buying my first condo and boy | | | | units are for sale. Also look at the cars |
| am I learning alot.First I learned to pick a | | | | parked in the parking |
| real estate agent I know or at least one | | | | |
| | | | lot. Are they BMWs or beat up Chevy's with |
| who has been recommended. There are so many | | | | bullet holes? You don't |
| behind the scenes deals | | | | |
| | | | have to live at the Ritz but you also don't |
| going on, with some of these realtors, that | | | | want most of the units |
| you can't tell whether | | | | |
| | | | to be composed of drug dealers either.Check |
| they actually care if you get a good deal or | | | | into the surrounding area. Are you close to a |
| not. Some realtors | | | | good school? |
| | | | |
| only work with certain builders or certain | | | | This should help your property retain its |
| properties. This means | | | | value. Also check on the |
| | | | |
| that there is a whole world of other condos | | | | criminal statistics in that area. It may |
| out there in your price | | | | look pretty during the day |
| | | | |
| range that you may not be seeing.Next I | | | | but what happens at night?Research is your |
| learned to check the construction. Here in | | | | best tool. Selling prices of sorrounding |
| Florida you want | | | | units and |
| | | | |
| a concrete based construction. Many of these | | | | properties are public record. See what the |
| new condos or | | | | properties around you |
| | | | |
| apartment to condo conversions use what | | | | sold for in the last few months and compare |
| seems like pliewood. This | | | | it to the asking price. |
| | | | |
| is not a great idea in a state full of | | | | Are the seller's expectations too high? |
| termites and humidity. The | | | | Negotiate.Never give full asking price. Here |
| | | | in Orlando, I have heard of |
| last thing you want is to find mold growing | | | | |
| on your fabulous | | | | houses going for more than the asking price. |
| | | | This is nuts! Everyone |
| outfits, when you open your closets or see | | | | |
| chunks of your wall | | | | is acting as if there won't be another house |
| | | | for sale ever. This is |
| missing. Also with the number of hurricanes | | | | |
| we get down here, the | | | | ludicrous. Every time I drive down the |
| | | | street, I see new houses |
| concrete based buildings have a much better | | | | |
| chance of surviving. | | | | posted for sale and these signs are staying |
| | | | up for longer periods. There are |
| Ask the realtor and the seller what the | | | | |
| building is made out of. | | | | motivated sellers out there.See if the |
| | | | owners are still in residence. If they are |
| They are legally required to answer your | | | | still living |
| questions.Also, ask if they have had any | | | | |
| problems at all with the unit or the | | | | there, they may not be completely motivated |
| building. If | | | | to sell. After all they |
| | | | |
| you don't ask they don't have to tell you | | | | are only paying their mortgate, as usual. On |
| everything. That is where | | | | the other hand if the |
| | | | |
| the saying buyer beware comes from. They | | | | apartment is vacant and the electricity is |
| have to answer your | | | | turned off, they may be |
| | | | |
| questions honestly but anything left unasked | | | | alot more motivated to sell. They are now |
| is your responsibility | | | | paying the mortgage for |
| | | | |
| or for the courts and your lawyers to battle | | | | an empty condo plus rent or another mortgage |
| out.Talk to your future neighbors. If | | | | on another property.These are just a few tips |
| everyone living there looks | | | | on making sure you get a first home that |
| | | | |
| depressed or pissed off there may be a | | | | you can be proud of and happy in. Happy |
| darned good reason these | | | | Hunting. Christakos is a published author and |
| | | | a private real estate investor. |