So you’re house shopping and you’ve fallen hard for a sweet little gem that seems, well, perfect. The photos are lovely, the walk-through revealed a number of amenities you’ve been seeking, the location is ideal.
This is it, right?
Not necessarily. A house — even a brand-new one — comes with a history and literally thousands of diverse components, some of which could be defective and cost big bucks to fix. A buyer’s ability to diagnose potential problems during a short visit? Limited at best.
Does the appraiser inspect for health and safety? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your appraisal questions.
As a result, shopping for a home, like any potential relationship, can include elements of uncertainty, surprise and trepidation.
“I’m super paranoid,” says Jacob Moschler, a Hyattsville resident who’s been gradually moving toward homeownership with his wife, Thuan Do, but is nervous about choosing a home that winds up having a host of problems. “That’s one of the reasons we haven’t bought a house yet.”
A buyer, though, doesn’t have to jump wholly unaware into the unknown. There are a number of ways to gain information about the property — both its physical condition as well as its past — before buying.
There are several tools and sources to help you feel a little more secure before signing on that dotted line. Some are mandated by law, while others simply require a little extra legwork.
Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

