When you buy, tell the agent you will give her the full amount of commission no matter how much you pay for the house. If she saves you thousands you might pay hundreds but she is more likely to be willing to get the price down for you - it is win - win.
Hire the home inspector and appraiser yourself. Do not use someone recommedned by the seller or the agent. Then the inspectors and appraisers are working for YOU not someone else.
If there are big trees in the yard ask a tree place to look at the condition and estimate the cost of having to take them out if needed. Appraisers don't usually include trees and they can be costly. If it has Bradford pear type trees of any size figure on it falling in a storm. There is/was one in front of every house in the neighborhood here and many of them have cracked in half and fallen. Another expense.
Get a hotel room near where you think you will go and drive the route to work your usual time to see how traffic flows in the morning.
Park nearby and see what the neighborhood is like on Friday evenings.
Last edited by miriam; 06-25-2016 at 04:33 AM.