Aaron Abrams Practical guides for buying and selling
Plain-English answers on inspections, HOA documents, solar, ownership costs, and getting a home ready for market.
These guides are general information to help you ask better questions. They are not legal, tax, lending, or inspection advice, and every property and contract is different.
- Buying a home: where to start
- Selling a home: a simple timeline
- Inspections: what to expect
- HOA documents: what to read
- Solar: questions to ask
- The real cost of owning a home
- Preparing a home for market
Buying a home: where to start
Start with the numbers. Talk with a lender, choose a monthly payment you are comfortable with (not only the maximum you are approved for), and set aside cash for the down payment, closing costs, and reserves.
List your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers. Commute, lot, layout, and condition usually matter more than finishes.
Tour a mix of homes in more than one community before you narrow in. Comparing is how you learn what is fair.
Before you write an offer, review the comparable sales, the disclosures, and the full estimated monthly cost.
Selling a home: a simple timeline
Before listing: walk the home together, talk through your goals, review comparable sales, and agree on a pricing strategy and preparation list.
Launch: professional photography, a clear description, showings, and open houses.
Offers: compare price alongside financing, contingencies, credits, timing, and your expected net proceeds.
Escrow: inspections, the appraisal, disclosures, and closing.
Inspections: what to expect
A general home inspection reviews the visible condition of the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling. Depending on the property, specialized inspections such as sewer line, roof, pest, foundation, or pool may also be worth ordering.
Findings are information, not a verdict. We sort them into safety issues, major systems, and routine maintenance, then decide whether to ask for repairs, credits, or a price change, or to move on.
Timelines are set in the purchase contract. A common default is 17 days for contingencies, but terms are negotiable, so confirm yours early.
HOA documents: what to read
The CC&Rs and bylaws explain the rules, including rental limits, pets, parking, and what you can change on your property.
The budget and reserve study show whether the association is saving enough for future repairs.
Meeting minutes show upcoming projects and how well the association is run.
Check current dues, any special assessments (current or likely), insurance coverage, and any litigation. Ask your questions before the contingency period ends, not after.
Solar: questions to ask
Is the system owned, financed, leased, or covered by a power purchase agreement? Leases and PPAs usually mean taking over a contract or having it paid off, so ask for the full agreement early.
What are the monthly payment and any annual escalator? Is there a lien or UCC filing on the system?
How old is the system, what does the warranty cover, and who services it? Is there a battery?
Ask for production history and recent utility bills. The rules for how exported power is credited have changed over time, so ask which rate plan applies to this system.
The real cost of owning a home
Beyond the mortgage, plan for property tax (a base rate of about 1 percent of assessed value plus local assessments), homeowners insurance, HOA dues, Mello-Roos or other special assessments, utilities, and maintenance.
Insurance costs vary by location and property, so ask about them early. Budget for maintenance every year, and more for older homes.
I will put together an estimated monthly picture for the properties you are serious about, so you can compare homes on total cost and not only on price.
Property tax and other questions
Preparing a home for market
Declutter and deep clean, then consider fresh neutral paint and small repairs buyers notice.
Look at curb appeal and landscaping, and consider staging where it helps buyers picture the space.
Gather permits, receipts, and warranties, and consider a pre-listing inspection if the home is older or you want a smoother escrow.
Not every project pays for itself. We will decide together where your money does the most good.
More questions? See the buyer and seller FAQ or send me a message.
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