SLO LIFE Fall 2010

Real Estate
“What’s the most important thing to consider when buying a home?”
You will save a lot of money and trouble down the road if you
make sure that the house is in great shape before you buy it.
The only way you can do that is by hiring an experienced,
knowledgeable home inspector, who will thoroughly examine
the structure and provide you with a detailed written analysis
upon completion. This report will itemize any problem areas of
the house so you will know what you are getting into. And, don’t
fall into the trap of hiring the cheapest home inspector, as there
are no certification or licensing requirements to become a home
inspector. So, stick with someone who belongs to one of the
major national associations (CREIA and/or ASHI); this will ensure
that they have at least met all of the necessary on-going training
requirements. When it comes time to make what will likely be
your biggest investment, be sure to go into it with full knowledge
of any problems that may exist.
Butch Vlako
Cornerstone Home Inspection
The single most important thing to consider when purchasing a
home is LIFESTYLE. It can be so easy to become distracted by
all of the factors that go along with choosing a home that you
can lose sight of the bigger picture. If you focus instead on what
sort of lifestyle you are looking for – not only right now, but into
the future – then all of the other answers for everything from
financing to location will come naturally. And, this is not just a
suggestion for the first-time homebuyer, but at all stages of life
you will want to carefully consider what you are looking for in
your lifestyle. Are you close to retirement? Expecting a family?
Growing your family? These are just a few questions to get you
started, but you will find that when you answer the question of
lifestyle first, you will be quite successful in all of the other things
that go along with buying a home. Fortunately, San Luis Obispo
offers a large diversity of options sure to fit your lifestyle, both for
today and tomorrow.
Gavin Payne
The Real Estate Group of San Luis Obispo
There is a lot to consider when buying a house. From a lender’s
perspective, I can offer that there is more to the issue of cost than
just the price. There is the question of how much down payment
is required to get in. Plus, there is the cost of the financing and
what the payments will be over the long run. People are often
amazed when they see what that adds up to. Then there is the
seldom asked question about the operating and maintenance
costs of the home. What are the utility costs and are there ways
to make the home more energy and water efficient? Are there
high cost maintenance items or a homeowner’s association
that will affect long term affordability? My experience has been
that many people get hung up on the price issue in negotiations
for a home. While important, the bigger picture needs to be
remembered including the taxes, insurance costs, maintenance,
utilities, homeowner’s association fees, and whatever other
costs may be applicable to a particular property.
Kevin Hauber
The Mortgage House
SLO LIFE
Have a real estate question? Go to slolifemagazine.com to get an answer.
Amanda Barnes
Licensed insurance agent
Life • LTC • Di • AnnuiTies
Protect
the ones
YouLove
805.423.2187
www.AmandaBarnesInsurance.com
805.541.MINI
3600 S. Higuera, SLO
MeatheadMiniStorage.com
Sensenbach Design Co.
Handmade Pottery
See more at:
sensenbach.com
Call & see the studio
805 471 9528
slo life MagaZinE. | 29
slo life magazine | 29