Topic 'More questions on buying a house' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:52:53 EDT

Dodge posted :

said by John97:

said by Dodge:

said by AVD:

make sure you know if it is sewer or septic; muni water or well water.

That was my requirement to the realtor - no septic, no well, no oil heating must have gas already in the house, none of this it's in the street crap.

If the street has gas, in most places they will connect your house for free if you add 2 appliances. A gas stove and water heater would do it. So, if you find a place you otherwise love but the gas is in the street - don't overlook it.

I did not know that. Something to look into.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:11:26 EDT

John97 posted :

said by Dodge:

said by AVD:

make sure you know if it is sewer or septic; muni water or well water.

That was my requirement to the realtor - no septic, no well, no oil heating must have gas already in the house, none of this it's in the street crap.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:55:43 EDT

robbin posted : Advantage is I get to live in the country on acreage with a well and septic.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:44:32 EDT

Dodge posted :

said by AVD:

nothing wrong with either, just that it factors into the price.

It's not that there is anything wrong with either well or septic, it's just something I see no advantages in having and a lot of disadvantages. Just don't need the headache.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:54:37 EDT

iLearn posted : I personally try to stay away from septic systems.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:49:23 EDT

AVD posted : nothing wrong with either, just that it factors into the price.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:44:42 EDT

Dodge posted :

said by AVD:

make sure you know if it is sewer or septic; muni water or well water.

That was my requirement to the realtor - no septic, no well, no oil heating must have gas already in the house, none of this it's in the street crap.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:35:15 EDT

iLearn posted : Get a home inspection done as well.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:32:03 EDT

AVD posted : make sure you know if it is sewer or septic; muni water or well water.
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Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:28:35 EDT

robbin posted :

said by Chinabound:

Here, yes. You can contact each company, and not only get their current rates, you can request a usage history report for the house you are interested in.

You can't get usage history anymore here without the resident's written consent. That changed after 9/11 due to privacy concerns. Still seems strange to me that I can't get that information even for rental houses which I own when it could make the difference in making energy efficiency upgrades, but they now consider it personal, private information.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:11:26 EDT

Bob posted : NJ cable TV franchise map - »www.state.nj.us/bpu/pdf/cablepdf···emap.pdf

NJ electric utility map - »www.njcleanenergy.com/main/publi···tory-map

NJ gas utility map - »www.njcleanenergy.com/main/publi···tory-map

NJ electric and gas suppliers - »www.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/u···dex.html

The realtor's listing sheet should have information specific to the property.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:57:24 EDT

Dodge posted :

said by Msradell:

Another thing not to forget to check on is the provider for Internet, television and telephone service. There are many stories on here about people who buy a new house, only to find out that their choice of these services is very limited or nonexistent as far as television and Internet go. Good Internet service is becoming more and more important to most households.

ISP is one of the first things I check before considering any house. Too dependent on reliable internet connection for work and fun to not check.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:50:00 EDT

Msradell posted : Another thing not to forget to check on is the provider for Internet, television and telephone service. There are many stories on here about people who buy a new house, only to find out that their choice of these services is very limited or nonexistent as far as television and Internet go. Good Internet service is becoming more and more important to most households.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:45:54 EDT

Westofhere posted : Check the local city/ town website, they usually have these types of vendors listed.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:43:32 EDT

iLearn posted : Just like others said, you can call the utility company and get the info. you are looking for.

Also, be sure to know that when you are buying a house and considering the 'efficiency' of that particular home, dont go with the bills provided by the seller as a proof of how efficient that house is. I am not sure if this is common but it had happened to me a few years ago. I inquired about a house and the realtor - in addition to providing me with the details emailed me copies of utility bills and said 'look at the amount, the house is very energy efficient'.

The energy efficiency does not (totally) depend on how much the bill is each month but it depends on other factors. That particular house had a 19 year old conventional furnace - not very efficient.

Thanks

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:31:02 EDT

Chinabound posted :

said by Dodge:

Is there a way to find out electric, gas, water and sewer rates for an area?

Here, yes. You can contact each company, and not only get their current rates, you can request a usage history report for the house you are interested in.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:04:19 EDT

dcurrey posted : Seems you can just call the utilities and ask. Nothing is private anymore.

Re: More questions on buying a house

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:46:54 EDT

John97 posted : Before I bought my house, I was able to determine who the providers were for the various utilities and got the rate info.

I was able to pull up my house on the county GIS map and it gave me the company info for water, electric, and trash as they are the only utilities available here. There's no natural gas, and no sewer.
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