Homebuyer Deal-Breakers

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Before you sign on the bottom line, know which items are negotiable and which negate the deal entirely. Clearly defining these in advance can save you significant headaches when the buying bug takes over. Your agent will remind you of your non-negotiables and keep you on the right track.

Here are some big-ticket items to keep in mind before closing out a contract:

• Major construction issues. During the inspection, if issues with the roof, a significant system like the wiring, plumbing, or HVAC comes up, negotiate to have them fixed or walk away.
• Review any protected or wetlands designations that apply to the property. Even though the home, pool, fence, pond or ditch is already there, these designations mean you’ll have to get permission from a conservation committee or agency in order to make any changes to your property.
• If any questions come up in the title search, and it seems there may not be a clear title, walk away. Even though the legalities could eventually get sorted, you’ll be out attorney fees, stress and time lost.
• Review the right-of-way, easements and utility access. Utilities with lights, poles, pipes or wires crossing the property have the right to inspect, repair, dig and otherwise take care of the utility. Before you can put in a pool, fence or flowerbed, you may need their permission. In addition, some cities have right-of-way clauses meaning they can add berms, boulevards or widen roads into your property. They also have the right to approve where you can locate a driveway and the setback (how close structures are to the property line, roads or easements), which may severely impact how you can build.

If there is land behind your property that does not have egress, that landowner may have easement rights. That means, they may install a driveway right through your land to get to theirs. Easements are listed on the deed, so have your agent or title lawyer clarify anything you don’t understand.

Make sure your real estate agent knows what’s non-negotiable for you so that the property you fall in love with is the one of your dreams, not your nightmares.