美国买房避坑指南-菊子17年房产经验总结买房不要掉的5个坑

0:00 Opening: Five Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying a House (Five Steps) 0:15 Pitfall 1: Check Title Restrictions Before Making an Offer 0:40 Thoroughly Check for Additions/Short-Term Rentals/Extensions (ADU, Stagnant Rooms, RV Spaces, etc.) 1:35 Pitfall 2: Final Walk-Through Inspection on Closing Day 2:02 Real Case: Exterior Walls Painted Dark, Air Conditioner and Refrigerator Missing 2:24 Two Packs of Flooring Materials Almost Ruined a Closing Deal 4:01 Include Everything You Want in the Purchase Contract 4:38 Why You're the "King" Before Signing the Closing Agreement, But Lose Your Voice Afterwards 5:25 Pitfall 3: Check Government Records for Consistency If the House Has Undergone Major Renovations 6:29 Risks of Not Applying for Permits: The Government is Concerned About the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) Behind the Walls 7:36 Why Doesn't the Seller Apply for Permits? Hidden Dangers of Shoddy Workmanship and Pre-Sale Renovations 8:26 Pitfall Four: Don't Just Ask About HOA Fees from Property Management; Check Four Documents 8:42 Document One: CC&R Community Restrictions (Can it be rented out?) 9:03 Document Two: Community Rules and Regulations 9:20 Document Three: Property Management Financial Statements (Are the Reserve Funds Sufficient? Will Property Management Fees Increase?) 9:50 Document Four: Bylaws (How Many Votes Are Required to Amend the Rules?) 10:32 Pitfall Five: Find a Truly Professional Full-Time Real Estate Agent 11:48 Summary and Review 12:38 Conclusion ***************** This article introduces 5 pitfalls when buying a house: 1. Check Restrictive Clauses Before Making an Offer Before buying a house, land, expanding, short-term rental, building an ADU, or renovating a house, always check the title restrictions, HOA restrictions, and county zoning. Many restrictions can be found before signing the contract; don't wait until you've paid due diligence fees to discover what you can't do. 2. Don't skip the final walk-through. The final viewing before closing is the buyer's last chance to protect their interests. Confirm whether the seller's promised repairs have been completed, whether there is any new damage to the house, and whether appliances and facilities are still there. If problems are found, you can request solutions or even postpone closing. 3. Check the Permit/Construction Permit. If the house has basement renovations, decks, sunrooms, garage modifications, or additions, be sure to check whether they have the legal permits. Unlicensed construction may result in fines, rectification, demolition, and even affect future resale. 4. Carefully Read All HOA Documents. Don't just look at the HOA fees; also look at community restrictions, usage rules, financial statements, reserves, and bylaws. Pay particular attention to whether the HOA has funds and whether there are any special levies in the future. Find a Professional Real Estate Agent. The value of an agent goes beyond showing properties; more importantly, they negotiate, coordinate inspections, measurements, loans, insurance, and the entire transaction process, and can also help buyers avoid emotional decisions. In short: Many of the real risks of buying a house are not revealed on closing day, but are already sown before signing the contract. Thoroughly researching restrictions, permits, HOA documents, and property status beforehand is crucial to avoid costly mistakes. ******************* I've written several books and offer courses, which you're welcome to purchase. This is one of them, titled *From Real Estate Agent to Property Owner*, available here: https://kellyshenacademy.com/zh/books... This isn't just a typical book on "how to sell a house," nor is it solely for long-time industry professionals. It's more suitable for those wanting to enter the US real estate industry, those newly licensed and unsure where to begin, or those already in a real estate agent role who aspire to further invest and accumulate assets. This book revolves around a core shift: Real estate brokerage is not the end goal, but rather the entry point; the real objective is to move from earning commissions to building assets. This book will guide you systematically through: how to get started with certifications, how to choose a broker, the first 90 days for newcomers, how to serve buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors, how to build clients, resources, expertise, content, and credibility, how to focus on your service area and niche market, and how to gradually transition from "serving others" to "accumulating assets for yourself." It's not just about abstract concepts or methods. It's more like a practical introductory guide for those new to the US real estate market, helping you avoid pitfalls, first establishing a sense of direction, then building expertise, and finally gradually navigating your asset acquisition path.