Thanks Professor for all this GREAT ADVICE. MY replies below in bold.
Make sure you hire (not the bank one) an good home inspector that is being paid by you.
This is a key priority and we are budgeting for this. A guy named Jerry Thibodeau has been recommended to us. Any other recommendations?
If possible view home in winter during cold weather. Check if ice forms on roof edges. Check age of shinges.
We are coming up in March. One of properties we are interested in (96 Pease Rd. Meredith) mentioned ceiling stains caused by snow back up in the disclosure documentation. A new roof was put on 5 years ago. Seems odd such a new roof would have ice dams.
If you plan on having driveway plowed make sure you understand where all the snow is placed.
Why is this important? Can you explain?
And don't take for granted that cable TV is offered everywhere - it is NOT.
We plan on getting Direct TV and Metrocast Internet. We know this is available in Gilford, but will make sure high speed internet is available in other locations.
Taxes can be a real hard expense.
Taxes are a top criteria for us and luckily that information is in the disclosure materials. We are also paying attention to tax history. No high tax towns for us.
If home is on hill expect to get some real good snow tires or 4 wheel/All wheel drive vehicle.
Subaru Forester here. We will have two small boat trailers so we're looking for a level lot where we can park them. No steep drievways for us.
Hire yourself a good real estate attorney. Yes, the buyer should have an attorney. There are over 40 pages to sign at closing. Do you really know what you are signing?
Indeed. We will be sure to have one and will seek recommendations. I have a friend in Gilford who is a lawyer and I'm sure she will also have some recommendations.
And finally, the scam. This one was in the newspapers a few years back. The water well went dry. The seller was bringing in a tanker truck to fill the well while showing house. You got it. When all the papers were signed and new folks moved in - the well went dry. Yes, the new owners ultimately did get a new well - but the lawyers did profit from all of this.
We will have our house inspector inspect the well and septic. That is why we are going to pay extra for these inspections. We want no surprises down the road with these systems. As far as people filling their dry wells for sale...well that would be a bad bout of luck for a buyer. Not sure how one could avoid such a deception, but hopefully we will not be in that situation.