Buyer Resource Center › The Home Search › Beyond the Showing: 4 Things to Consider Before You Buy
A 30 minute showing tells you how a home looks and feels. It doesn't tell you what the home will cost to run, what you're allowed to do with it, or how it holds up in a winter storm. Before you fall too hard, take a few minutes to look into these four things.
4 Things to Consider Before You Buy
Monthly Costs Beyond the Mortgage
Property taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA or condo dues, and regular maintenance can add hundreds of dollars a month to your real cost of owning. Ask for the current tax bill and any HOA documents, and estimate utilities based on the home's size and heating type.
Rules That Govern the Property
Zoning, city codes, and HOA rules can limit additions, fences, short term rentals, home businesses, parking, and even backyard chickens. If you're planning an accessory dwelling unit or a garage conversion, check the rules first.
How the Home Handles Northwest Weather
Our wet winters test every home. Look at gutters, grading, drainage, the crawl space or basement, and any sump pump. Ice storms can bring down big trees, and wildfire smoke makes good air filtration worth having. Review the seller's disclosures for past water issues.
Water, Sewer, and Internet
Find out whether the home is on city water and sewer, or a private well and septic system, which need their own inspections. And if you work from home, confirm which internet providers and speeds are available at the address.
The bottom line: The best buyers do a little homework beyond the showing. Ask for the tax bill, HOA documents, and seller disclosures, check the rules for anything you plan to do with the property, and think about how the home handles our weather. I'll help you gather all of it before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I research before buying a house?
Look into the full monthly cost, property taxes, HOA rules, zoning, the seller's disclosures, utility types, internet service, and whether the home is in a flood zone.
How do I find a home's property taxes?
Your agent can pull the current tax bill from county records. Taxes vary by city and county, and between Oregon and Washington, so always check the actual bill.
Can I build an ADU on a property I buy?
Often, yes, but rules vary by city and HOA. Check zoning, setbacks, utility connections, and HOA restrictions before you buy if an ADU is part of your plan.
Do I need flood insurance in Portland?
Only if the home is in a designated flood zone and you have a mortgage, but some buyers outside flood zones choose it anyway. Ask your agent to check the flood map for any home you're considering.
Does a VA loan allow homes with wells and septic systems?
Yes. The appraisal may require the well water to be tested and the septic system to be in working order. Plan on extra inspections for both.
What are seller disclosures?
They're forms where the seller shares known information about the property's condition and history. Oregon and Washington both have disclosure requirements, and you should review them carefully before your inspection period ends.
Keep Reading
What to Ignore and What to Worry About on a Home Tour
Easy cosmetic fixes you can look past, and the real red flags that deserve a closer look.
Read more ›How to Evaluate an HOA
Dues, reserves, and rules to review before you commit.
Read more ›A Homebuyer's Quick Guide to Property Taxes
Oregon and Washington property taxes, plus disabled veteran exemptions.
Read more ›
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. Content adapted in part from ABR® consumer resources. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
