| You just settled into your new home bought | | | | If you found a beautiful old house selling for a |
| from refinance home mortgage. On the first night, | | | | pittance, be suspicious - there could be ghosts |
| you heard things up in the attic. You shrug it off, | | | | around. Spooks aside, there are other things to |
| thinking it's only your imagination. The bumps in | | | | watch out for before you plunk in your earnest |
| the night grew louder and things start flying off | | | | money into a refinance home mortgage. |
| the wall. You're living in a haunted house! What to | | | | Check if the house is on an earthquake belt or on |
| do? | | | | contaminated soil. You'll be smart too to check |
| Friendly and unfriendly ghosts | | | | the foundation of the house and smoke out the |
| Unlike some home buyers, you see the house | | | | presence of asbestos and radon. Do not always |
| first before buying it to check if indeed the house | | | | rely on the agent's pronouncements, even if she |
| is in good shape. But there are things agents will | | | | or he is your brother. Get an independent |
| not tell you because you might back off the deal. | | | | appraiser rather than be a scrooge. This |
| Of course, it will depend on your taste - if you | | | | investment will save you the sleepless nights ruing |
| don't care a bit or if you are squeamish about | | | | your mistake. |
| ghostly sightings. | | | | But if you know what it takes for a home |
| A haunted house does have to be Victorian | | | | appraisal, then get the home appraisal guide, and |
| mansion. It can be a townhouse in a posh village | | | | go over the house inch by inch from top to |
| or a condo in upscale Manhattan. But the | | | | bottom. |
| difference lies in what kind of ghosts are around. | | | | Before you sign the deeds and agreements |
| If the ghosts have been there before the | | | | In your enthusiasm, do not forget to ask how |
| American Civil War, they're "house-broken", but if | | | | you can cancel should things go wrong. Ask a |
| you got a house where murders or mass suicides | | | | lawyer to review the contract or the agreement |
| were committed, then that is a different story. | | | | and get his advice on cancellation matters. |
| With your refinance home mortgage already | | | | You have all the right to be careful. Isn't it your |
| signed, sealed and delivered, you can do little if | | | | money that'll pay for the refinance home |
| you are denied a cancellation of the purchase. So | | | | mortgage? So ask about cancellation upfront. Talk |
| you either learn to live with the ghosts and turn | | | | to the agent's broker if he refuses to a |
| into a profitable bed and breakfast for rabid ghost | | | | cancellation. If he also refuses, ask for another |
| hunters, or wait out the first year of the | | | | agent. If things are still sticky, then get a real |
| mortgage before you can sell. That is, if there are | | | | estate lawyer to get you out of the pickle. |
| buyers. | | | | If you're happy living with ghosts |
| Why they don't tell | | | | If you're clairvoyant, you might as well enjoy |
| Homeowners selling houses with a complete | | | | your house. A bed and breakfast and a crystal |
| package of ghost sightings and flying objects are | | | | ball will auger well for your chances with a |
| not telling. Haunted houses don't sell or are sold at | | | | haunted house bought with your refinance home |
| low prices so sellers keep mum hoping to get a | | | | mortgage. |
| fair deal and get rid of their property in no time. | | | | |