Precautions To Take When Buying A Unique Property

A unique home is any home that doesn't conform to conventional building styles or materials. Examples include homes painted unique colors, homes built from recycled materials, and homes built in unique shapes (such as those resembling other objects). Here are some precautions to take when purchasing such a property:

Confirm There Are No Legal Hurdles

There are legal standards, such as building codes, which all residential houses must meet. This is true whether a house is considered unique or conventional. These codes are meant to confirm that different aspects of the house such as electrical and plumbing systems are safe. For example, building codes require all stairs to have handrails that turn and end at the wall; no handrail should end in a pointed end. However unusual your house may be, confirm that it meets this and other building codes.

Find the Right Inspector

A home inspection is one of the most vital stages of a home purchase process. This is where you will know whether there is anything wrong with the house and decide whether to proceed with the purchase or not. However, a home inspection can only benefit you if it is done correctly, and it can only be done correctly by someone who has the skills and experience to do it. Therefore, using a home inspector who has only been dealing with conventional homes may not be the best idea; you need someone experienced in the type of home you want to be inspected.

Decide Whether You Are Buying For Keeps

Conventional homes are relatively difficult to sell. Therefore, it's not wise to buy one with the intention or selling it later. This is especially true for homes built from unique materials or those constructed in unique shapes. It's best to buy such a house only if you intend to own it for a long time, preferably forever.

Confirm That You Will Be Able To Insure It

Lastly, you also need to confirm that you will be able to get homeowner's insurance for the property.  Home insurance companies, just like other people, are usually wary of the unknown. Therefore, you may face some hurdles when seeking coverage. Depending on the level of your house's uniqueness, it's a good idea to confirm that the house is insurable at reasonable rates.

It's always best to buy a home with the help of a real estate agent. Having an agent is even more necessary when buying a unique house given the above issues.    


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