Rec's: real estate agents/home inspectors (Missoula: foreclosure, renting, homes)

[DueToJob]

Well, that title got to be long. Please, if you have any recommendations, pro or con, PM me. What works for one person may be all wrong for another. I think in the coming months, we will be edging into prospective buyer territory. We need an agent who will work with us and through several possible scenarios, including buying foreclosure or a short-sale. Need experience in these areas. It could also be a conventional situation. Whatever, we need patience and someone who has an idea what will be happening in Missoula in the future.

Ditto a home inspector. I'm really, really leary of "good ol' boys clubs" and someone who knows someone who lets things go buy. Someone who knows the soils, problems in certain areas, and whether mitigations for any problems have worked long term. What the past "ghosts" have been in Missoula's home building history and if they are still lurking.

We still don't know where we might locate. Even with the older homes, congestion, and potential noise, I'm not ruling out the University area either, if price was right and area compensated for some of that. That said- this will sound contradictory- we'd like quiet, less road noise, and neighbors who don't think that pulling up to the unit two doors down and honking at 2am is acceptable behavior, who have the ability to pick up after their dogs and not use the street in front for speeding. Respect for those around you, give it and get it. We always helped out our neighbors wherever we were got along well.

So, buying vs. renting now.

[historyfan]

Since you mentioned soils, I would suggest getting Phase I environmental assessment done by engineering firm. They are in same price range and will cover radon, lead paint, water quality, asbestos, soils, fuel spills or underground fuel tank leaks or otger weirdnesses like buried dumps....epecially do this if buying outside of old residential area.
Something built on lot that was next to old gas station or dry cleaners or funeral parlor 50 years ago could be real bugaboo now. We always have contracted one for purchased ranch properties. It is also nice to have report to use as benchmark if something like fuel spill from blocks away infiltrates your property in future you can prove it was previously clean.

[DueToJob]

Thanks. This could be where we retire and the less hassles down the road the better, not to mention potentially passing the property on to the kids, or they sell it, whatever. I don't want a burden now or in the future although it's enough of a gamble with real estate as it is right now.