Realty Executives Premiere
Home buying is an exciting time. Touring potential homes for you and your family and envisioning your lives in them is often an enjoyable experience. However, be careful not to get too wrapped up in the outward appearance of the home, and be sure to pay attention to the small details that may indicate problems with the home that are easy to overlook.
Continue reading to learn more about things that you should check for before you purchase any home property. Reviewing this list and implementing these items during your home buying journey could save you from major problems and costly repairs after move-in.
Leaky basements are hard to diagnose, difficult to fix, and a hassle to live with. If the basement is leaky, there could be structural problems, allowing water to leak past the building envelope of your house and into your living space. This can lead to mold and mildew problems, as well as slowly weakening your home’s structure through water damage. Attempting to repair a basement can be very costly due to the specialized experience required and care that has to be taken.
Although we previously mentioned water damage, it’s important to mention it again as it can become a major issue in a home. Water-related issues can not weaken or ruin parts of your home, but they can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can compromise the health of you and your family.
To identify water damage when touring a home, be sure to open every drawer and cabinet to inspect it for signs of water damage, mold, or mildew. Also, inspect places in which plumbing fixtures are located to look for moisture exposure, as this is often the source of water damage issues. And while you’re at it, take a second to turn faucets off and on to determine whether the home has noisy pipes.
Of course, the first thing you’ll see is the interior design and layout when you tour a home. However, while on that tour, it is also important to pay attention to small details and think critically to determine whether the floor plan matches your lifestyle and makes the home convenient and comfortable to live in.
According to Corey Tyner of Buy Yo Dirt, things to look out for during the home buying process include small kitchens, cramped living spaces, walls that make the house feel closed off, and spaces that just aren’t usable.
In addition to the floorplan, it is also important to pay attention to the neighborhood as a whole when you visit a home. Consider driving through the neighborhood multiple times at different parts of the day. This will help give you an idea of whether the neighborhood is one that you can see yourself living in.
Additionally, consider details like HOA fees, community amenities, as well as the location of the neighborhood. Is it near good schools, parks, shopping, and restaurants? Is the area peaceful or noisy? These are all factors that impact your and your family’s quality of life.
When touring a home, be sure to take a look at the HVAC units for signs of regular upkeep. Dirty filters, as well as damage to the unit, piping, or insulation, may indicate that the previous owner did not properly care for the unit.
You can also determine how recently the system may have been replaced. Most units will have the date that they were manufactured listed on the nameplate. In general, most residential units will last somewhere between 15 - 25 years, depending on the quality of the unit as well as regular maintenance efforts.
Your home inspector can help with a more thorough investigation of the quality of the HVAC system. However, replacing an HVAC unit can be costly, so spotting this problem early may be beneficial during the home buying process.
Pests are another major problem with the potential for health problems, as well as costly repairs. No one wants to live with bugs, rodents, or other creatures intruding in their living spaces. This can greatly reduce your comfort and peace of mind in your home. Here are some warning signs to take note of when touring a home:
Sellers are legally required to disclose any pest infestation problems that may be occurring within the home, so be sure to ask the seller directly to avoid these situations after move-in.
Realty Executives agents are real estate experts. They have the education and expertise you need to navigate through the process of buying or selling a home. From listing at the right price to making the best offer, our Executives have witnessed the best - and most regrettable - decisions homeowners and homebuyers can make. Every day, they are immersed in every aspect of real estate that includes comparable home price analysis, property surveys, credit reports, open houses, HOA agreements, lenders, title companies, homeowners’ insurance, walk-throughs, terms of sale or purchase, repairs, concessions and closing documents. Let our accomplished Executives help navigate you through the process of buying or selling a home.
