When you are on the search for your perfect home you might be overwhelmed by the amount of things to look for. After all, you want to make sure you cover everything before you settle down in your new home or make a purchase that large. If this is your first home buying experience then it can be even more intimidating. Do not let the task overwhelm you. Instead keep these five things to look for in mind:
5 Things to Look for When Buying a Home
- Neighborhood – The first thing you should look for when you are shopping for a home is the neighborhood. Even if you find your dream home if it is in a bad part of town you won’t enjoy living there. You can check out things like crime rates, demographics, and school systems online. That way you will have some idea of what the general area is like. You can also do a virtual tour of the neighborhood by bringing up a map on Google and ‘walking’ the streets around your home. This can be a great indicator of the living conditions of the neighborhood. If you see a junk yard down the street or a paper mill around the corner you probably want to avoid living there. Even if everything looks great make sure you visit the area several times during different times of the day or night. What could be quiet and calm at noon could be a nightmare at ten at night. You should also check out the area after it rains to see if flooding is a problem.
- Outside – Once you find a house you like make sure you look around the outside of the home. Many buyers think everything that matters is inside but the outside can be a huge indicator of potential problems. What is easy to cover up with rugs or paint inside is harder to cover up in the harsh light of day. Look for things like cracks, leaks, water stains, patches and so on. These can be indicators of repairs on the home that were not listed in the sales info. You should also look to make sure the home is not rotting or infested with any critters or bugs. Check out any outbuildings like sheds or car ports to make sure they are in good repair as well. As about the property lines and see if the fences are stable and secure. If you can, take a look at the roof and see if there are any stains, holes, soft spots, torn up tiles or shingles, or anything else that could cause a damaging leak. Gutters need to be clean and clear, windows need to be tightly sealed and all the doors should be solid enough to keep you safe.
- Top and Bottom – Once you get inside check out the floor and ceiling first. These areas have the biggest indicators of problems. Look along the walls and under rugs to see danger signs like wet spots, mold, bubbles, or cracks. Look at the air conditioning and heating ducts. Are they black and dirty? That can be a sign of more problems than you want to handle. Make sure you ask about things like how the home is heated or cooled, what the typical utility bills are like and so on. Try to be practical and see what you can afford before you move in.
- Kitchen – The kitchen is the heart of the home and usually the place where you spend a lot of time. That is why it is important to make sure everything is in good condition. Replacing cabinets and countertops is an expensive and difficult proposition. You do not want to have to jump right into doing that. Check to make sure the cabinets are solid and good to go, the counters are safe to use and the appliances that come with the home are in good condition. Ask about electric versus gas stoves, the water heater, and so on. You want to make sure your kitchen works for you. Also verify that there is enough storage space. Are the cabinets and pantry big enough for your family? Do you have space to cook and prepare your food? Is there enough room for more than one person to work in the kitchen at a time? These can all be important things to think about when it comes to your new home.
- Plumbing and Electrical – Last but not least is the plumbing and electrical work. Since these are integrated into the home they are often hard to see and even harder to repair. Repairs to the plumbing or electricalsystems can be very expensive so make sure you check them out first. Does your home have a septic system or does it run on city sewage? Is the water pressure good? Turn on the faucets and see. Flush the toilets and listen for sounds of banging or gurgling. These can be warning signs. Test the electricity by turning on two or three high powered items such as the stove and dryer. If the power goes out from overload or the lights dim you may have a bigger problem on your hands.
You want your new home to be something you can enjoy, not something to dread. That is why it is important to make sure you know what you are getting into before you buy. Always make sure you have an inspector come out to look at the home. Get your own inspector, not one through a relator. That way they are working for your benefit and not for the benefit of the seller. You shoulddouble check everything you can through the government websites and make sure there are no hidden issues like pervious flood damage, fires or anything like that. Although we would hope that seller are honest about their homes it is better to be safe than sorry. Have fun looking for your new home!
5 Things to Look for When Buying a Home
Stephanie has many years of experience as a nanny. She has always loved children and has continuously been involved in childcare activities. Currently she is one of the writers for houstonnanny.com. If you want to get in touch with her, you can email her at stephanie. Houstonnanny @ gmail. com.
