Buying a Home in Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County is for you if you want to find a place in South Carolina that is not too busy and has a perfect balance between city and country life. The area is meant for those not looking for too much excitement and would much rather have peace and serenity.
If you want to buy a Home in Chesterfield County in South Carolina, there are some steps you need to take before you decide and move. Getting through them will make the entire process smooth and ensure that the time you spend here is as per your expectations.
The cost of housing in Chesterfield is less than the National Average and the rest of South Carolina. It is a small and pretty town that allows peace to its inhabitants, which is why it is the choice of many people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of a metropolis.
When you are starting to search for a Home in Chesterfield County, here is what you should do:
1. Get Familiar with the area
Although Chesterfield County is a great area to live in, we recommend you come here and drive around it to get the feel and increase your familiarity with the county. You can visit on both weekdays and weekends to observe the activity, noise, and proximity of significant places where you plan to purchase a house.
2. Consider Your Lifestyle
Are you single or married with school-going kids? Chesterfield County is a great school district, and young professionals who have moved to this part of the state have found it moderately active.
3. Find a Real Estate Agent
This is one of the primary steps of settling in Chesterfield County. A good Real Estate agent in the area should know the community and be aware of the ins and outs of attaining a property, whether it is a house, townhouse, condo, etc. The agent should handle everything from preparing a suitable offer to handling the paperwork.
Getting a real estate agent should not cost you at all when securing a house. They earn through a commission paid to them by the seller, which happens to be 5 to 6% of the house sale price.
Your agent should be licensed, and if you do not have a personal referral, your best bet is to approach the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to find one. You can also find notable agents online from Zillow and Trulia. One advantage of online resources is that you can access reviews and recommendations from others who have used their services.
4. Lookout for Seller Disclosure Requirements
Be mindful of the State Law in South Carolina that mandates sellers to provide full disclosure to the buyer unless otherwise agreed upon. The disclosure form is supposed to have information on the following aspects of the property:
- Water and Sewage System
- Underlying issues with the property itself, such as its foundation, roof, and walls
- Environmental Problems such as termite infestation, radon gas presence, etc.
- Legal Issues
5. Get the property inspected by a third-party
Do not just rely on the seller when buying a property. An independent home inspector should ideally verify all the seller’s information before you seal the deal. Also, there may be issues with the property that the seller may intentionally or unintentionally keep hidden. To identify them, have a third party check everything.
In South Carolina, most new home buyers must have a wood inspection before their mortgage loan is approved.
6. Dealing with Title Issues
You must perform a title search through a lawyer before you purchase a house. If there are problems, the seller should rectify them before the deal is finalized. Several mortgage loan companies have a mandatory clause for the buyer to purchase a title insurance policy. This protects the company and the buyer from adverse claims from a random party.
In case your mortgage loan company does not require you to get title insurance, you should still buy it to protect yourself.
Buying a house in Chesterfield County can be a smooth experience if you fulfill the prerequisites and follow these guidelines. Property prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but having good agents and vendors can help you get the best house without stretching your budget or compromising on the type of house you want.
