Yards are the most under rated problem with home selection.  The cost of keeping up a yard that has problems can be a huge expense if there are inherent issues such as grubs, moss build up, ant nests, or vole/moles.  The other aspect is making sure that the yard is not going to be too much to do on your own.  Many yards require professional help such as shrub and tree removal, aerating and thatching and on occasion, fertilization and weed killer application.  Look before you leap.

Out of the Money Pit was featured on National Public Radio on Dick Gordon’s “the Story”, visit the archives and read or listen to this modern day real estate tragedy!dated Thursday, February 18 2010 “Out of the money pit”   Here’s a little taste….

The Onigmans
A study this week reported 5 million home owners will slide into foreclosure within the next few years. Shana & Matthew Onigman are doing everything in their power not to be a part of that statistic.

When they bought their fixer-upper home, they planned to slowly make repairs. Within weeks, they watched nearly everything fall apart – pipes burst, floorboards collapsed and termites poured into the kitchen.

http://thestory.org/archive/

Read about the Best Opportunities for Buys in Real Estate and and the Worst Markets.    http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/most-troubled-real-estate-markets

Make sure you take a peek at my new real estate book “Why I Buy Real Estate Instead of Golfing”.  Amazon.com now offers a “Look Inside” feature to view test and the table of contents.