Buying a house is a very significant step in the life of every person. It is the opening of a new chapter, and that can be both exciting and frightening. Unfortunately, such emotions tend to cloud our judgment. Many people buy houses on impulse, only to discover that their chosen property has many flaws.
If you want to avoid making a similar mistake, it would be best if you prepared a checklist of things that you should pay attention to before making a final decision. To help you with that, we have prepared the following guide.
Below, you will find the ultimate list of stuff you should investigate when choosing your next house. It has it all, ranging from checking whether a garage door opener repair is needed to ensuring there are no water leaks or mold. Keep on reading, and you should be able to make sure that you are purchasing the right home.
Garage Door
Did you know that the state of the garage door can show you what the general state of a house is? If it is very dirty and the garage door opener is very rusty, you can assume that there are many other things that the owner did not bother with taking care of.
Consequently, checking out the garage door of a house should be one of the first things that you do if you want to buy it.
Location
It is very easy to get carried away when looking for a home. There are so many different properties on the market, and it can be hard to choose the one that would suit your needs best. That is exactly why professional real estate agents always ask potential clients about their preferred location.
Do you plan on living in it full-time, or is it simply going to serve as a vacation home? If it is going to be a vacation home, you might be better off with a house in the country or on the beach and not in the city center.
On top of that, you need to pay attention to how far the property is from the local amenities. If you choose a house that is too far from the nearest grocery store or school, you will end up wasting time and money commuting.
Size
How many people are going to be living in your house? You should try to answer that question before you start looking for a house, as the size of the property will determine whether you will feel comfortable living there.
If you are going to move in with a dog and your spouse, buying a spacious home might not be a very wise decision and end up putting a huge dent in your budget. On the other hand, if you are planning on living with your spouse and seven children, then buying a large property can be a great idea.
However, bigger homes require more maintenance and repair work in general. Moreover, the larger the property, the more energy it will consume. That is why you need to consider whether you can afford such expenses before making a purchase.
Age and Condition of Property
You might feel tempted to buy a property that is pretty old, as they tend to be cheaper than new ones. However, buying one might come with significant problems, such as leaky roofs and faulty plumbing. Because of that, you might want to ask the seller about the age of the property before placing an offer.
Water Leaks and Mold
The presence of water leaks and mold is a major red flag, but it is pretty hard to avoid if you are looking for an older property. That is because old roofs tend to develop leaks over time.
When that happens, mold can form pretty easily, and it can be very hard to get rid of. For that reason, it is crucial to check for any suspicious stains on walls and ceilings when touring a new property.
Electrical Issues and Plumbing Problems
When buying a new house, you should pay attention to any electrical issues and plumbing problems. That way, you will know whether there are any issues that will need fixing before moving in or whether they are just regular wear-and-tear problems that come with age.
What makes this particular part of any home inspection important is that electrical issues might result in a house fire if left untreated. When it comes to plumbing issues, they can cause severe damage to your property if not dealt with immediately.
That is why it is best to hire a professional inspector who will be able to identify electrical or plumbing issues immediately. Not only that, but they will also be able to tell you whether the repair work will be worth it or not.
Foundation Issues
Foundation problems are especially common in older homes. If neglected, this problem can lead to major issues down the road that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. This is why it is crucial to check for signs of foundation issues before deciding on a purchase.
If there are any cracks in the walls or floors, if the walls lean outwards, or if the foundation seems to have sunk, then you might want to reconsider buying the property.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are quite a few things that you need to pay attention to before you buy a house, such as its size and location. On top of that, you have to be on the lookout for stuff like mold, water leaks, and foundation issues. Otherwise, you might end up having to spend thousands of dollars on repairs.
In the end, it is best not to trust any seller and assume that they are trying to hide the fact that there is something wrong with the house that they are selling. After all, mentioning the flaws of the house will make you less likely to end up buying it. Thus, staying vigilant should be your top priority.
