Napa Homes for Sale: Inspecting the Interior
When looking at Napa homes for sale, it’s easy to get caught up in a home that catches our eye to the point that we forget about the basics. To ensure that you get the best value and avoid future problems, is essential that you let a professional inspect home you are considering buying. However, you can make your own preliminary inspection, if you only know what to look for.
Do you have a good first impression when you enter the house? Is there an unusual odor? Is the house clean and clutter free? If the home shows neglect that could be a sign of bigger problems.
So let’s begin our inspection. What condition are the walls in? Do they have a new coat of paint? Do they need cleaning? Do you see peeling or cracked paint? Do you see signs of mold or any other problems with the walls?
We can now start looking at the floors more closely. What is the general condition of the carpet? Doesn’t look like it’s had a recent cleaning? Are there any spots, stains or worn areas? Stains and odors may be an indication of pet urine or spills that have permeated through the carpet. As you move throughout the house listen for creaks and squeaks. Do you notice sagging in any areas? You probably do not have to worry about a few creaks, but any syncing or sagging areas could mean more extensive problems. How does the ceiling look? Does it sag? What about spots or stains? Spots or stains can be a sign of leaking plumbing pipes or fixtures in the upper floors.
Check each electrical outlet. The the best way to do this is with a tester you can buy at most hardware stores. It will show you if the outlet has been installed properly and is working. Test each of the light switches and make sure it works. If any outlet or wall switch doesn’t work it warrants further inspection. It could mean a simple switch replacement or an expensive rewiring problem.
Check the toilets sinks showers and bathtubs. Look around the base of each one for leaks or worn caulking. Open the taps and see if the hot water works and if there is sufficient pressure. Check under sinks and for signs of leakage.
Although not intended to replace an inspection by a professional, doing your own preliminary inspection will save you time and money. Click this link for an inspection checklist you can download to help you been doing your own inspections.
Napa Homes for Sale: Exterior Inspection
When looking for homes for sale in Napa, don’t get so caught up in the purhase that you forget forget this imporant advice: Never buy a house without having it being inspected by a qualified professional.
Before you call the pro inspector, there are a number of things you can inspect if you just know a few basics. This will save you money because you will be able to save the offical inspections for the homes that pass your own inpections
What to check.
As you first look at the property, what is the overall condition? Is it well clean and neat? If not this could be a sign there are hidden problems you can not see. Check around the foundation, around windows, doors and vents for areas where small animals or insects might enter the home. Do you see any nests, small piles of sawdust, animal droppings or signs of chewing. If so it may mean there is a problem with small animals or insects. Check for broken or loose tiles, or missing bricks or shingles. Is the roof in good repair? Do you see areas broken shingles or tiles? On the sides of the house, look for warping boards or peeling paint. Is the backyard deck solid and safe, or is it sagging and unstable. Check the condition of caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows. Are there signs of rot, mold on the door frames and window sills?
Check the general condition of the driveway. Is it full of potholes or, puddles? If it is paved, are there any cracks or signs of the surface is breaking up? They can all be signs that costly repairs are needed.
A good realtor should know the overall condition of any Napa Homes for Sale they show you. But you can’t just rely on that. Always have a professional inpection on any home you are seriously thinking of buying.
Napa Homes for Sale: Napa Weather
One of the things to consider as you start looking for Napa Homes For Sale is the weather.
Napa’s mild climate is perfect for grape growing and is also considered by many to be the perfect people climate. The Napa Valley is located far enough the ocean to avoid the fog that persists at the coast in the summer. It’s also located far west enough of the Central Valley to get the cooling fog that keeps any extreme heat around for only a few days. Generally, there will be 5-10 days where the temperature can reach the mid 90′s or higher. The hottest months are July and generally August. The northern part of the valley is usally 10 degrees or so warmer than the south end.
Average rainfall is about 24 inches. The vast majority of the rain falls between December and February with almost no rain from June through October. The coldest winter mornings may have frost on the ground but most winter lows are in the 40′s with highs in the 50′s and 60′s.
Fall and Spring weather is mild with few temperture extremes .
Micro Climates
If you like hot weather, Calistoga or St. Helena usually have temps 10 degrees or so hotter than the City of Napa. if you like dry weather the eastern part of the valley has much lower rainfall amounts than the west side. The west side of the valley in area known as the Mayacamas Mountains has abundent waterfalls, streams in the rainy season and is covered with forests.
Find Homes for Sale Napa
To find your dream home, use a good realtor. A local real estate agent knows the terrain and climate and help you choose the right home for you.
Napa Real Estate Buying Tips
Most people are introduced to the Napa Valley through a memorable vacation trip. As you can imagine however visiting the area and living there can be very different. So before you base your decision on a romantic fantasy of living in wine country, there are a number of questions you need to answer to make sure you are basing your decision on more than emotion. Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself.
What do you know about Napa’s micro climates?
How well do you know the housing market?
Do you understand the employment opportunities are more limited than in larger areas?
Have you investigated the schools in the area?
Have you really considered the pros and the cons of living in the wine country?
If you have answered these questions and still want to move forward the next step is to find a good local agent. This is important because a good local agent will be able take your goals and resources and show you Napa Homes for Sale that are the best match for you. Here are a few important considerations to consider when choosing an agent. How long have they been selling homes in Napa? Are they members of the local Multiple Listing Services? Do they have referrals from other’s who purchased homes in your price range? How much do you like and trust them with this important decision?
Napa Homes for Sale-Helpful Information
Napa Homes for Sale: Helpful Information
As you begin looking for homes for sale in the Napa Valley, you should get familiar with it. The Napa Valley has much to offer for visitors and place to work and live. Although famous for wines, there many other reasons to live in the valley. The crime rate is low and it’s approx 1 hour driving distance to San Francisco and Sacramento which allows Napa to keep it’s small town charm.
The Napa Real Estate Market
The amount of land available for new housing developments is limited because much of the land is reserved for growing wine grapes. This tends to keep home prices higher than
other parts of the state. During real estate booms, the prices of homes in Napa go up at the same pace or more than other parts of the state. Napa home prices have not fallen as much as other parts of the state because the opportunity to live in the region is so attractive to many buyers.
How Many Napa Homes for Sale Are There?
In July 2010, there were about 600 houses on the market. The median cost of homes for a very niche 3 BD/2BA 3 is $ 596,000. However smaller houses and fixer-uppers range from $250,000 with many renovated 3 bedroom homes going for $300,000 and up range.
Current information can be found at: Homes for Sale In Napa
Buying a property in Napa
Since there are few for sale by owner (FSBO) properties in the valley, it’s best to hire a licensed real estate agent. A Napa agent knows with region and is the best source for advice for finding the best home for you. Agent that belong to the MLS (multiple listing services usually have access to widest choice of houses for sale in Napa.
