Buying a home can be an exciting experience that often comes with its own set of unique challenges. Real estate moves fast, and if you don’t want to see one of your dream houses being snatched right from under your nose, you might be forced to make quick offers.
However, it’s easy to get distracted by beautifully staged interiors and talkative agents, as well as other people who are touring the houses with you. Therefore, to ensure that you won’t regret your decision, you need to know what you should pay attention to. For instance, if there’s something that doesn’t meet your requirements, but could be easily changed or fixed, such as paint colours or outdated fixtures, there’s no point in focusing on it.
Instead, take a close look at things that really matter but don’t fall into the “easy fixes” category, such as exterior, the floor plan, or any signs of water damage. Here’s a list of items you wouldn’t want to overlook when buying a home.
Table of Contents
Floor Plan
When looking at the house that managed to catch your attention, ask yourself if the floor plan fits your lifestyle and needs. For instance, if you want to have spacious rooms, but the house you’re interested in has plenty of interior walls that would require demolishing or the perfect square footage isn’t there, you should explore other options instead of settling on something that will end in a costly remodelling project anyway.
Similarly, if you know that you want to have a separate laundry room, a walk-in pantry, or walk-in closets, focus on houses that come with these features instead of settling on something that doesn’t fit your needs. Renovations of this scale can cost you a lot of money and nerves, so if you have other options on hand, it might be a better solution. Having to tear down or build one or two walls should be fine, but if you want to move in quickly and avoid living in the middle of a construction zone, think well before making a decision.
Exterior
Whether you’re looking at Greenwood Villas or any other neighbourhood, the exterior is the first thing a potential buyer notices about a property. Therefore, you need to make sure it’s in good condition. Ensure the yard is well-maintained and the house has a good foundation and sturdy walls. Ideally, you should hire a home inspector, but if there are many people interested in buying the same property, it might be impossible. Therefore, you should check if there’s no rotting on the exterior walls – if there is, the wood might be unsalvageable, and you can end up fixing every wall.
Look at the foundation to be sure that there’s no bulge or lean, which can indicate uneven load on it. On top of that, check for any potential water damage or cracks in concrete. Standing water can cause soil to shift and wood to rot, leading to serious damage. Pay attention to how the yard drains, check if there are signs of any trenches, ensuring that the water is channelled away from the home and yard. After all, if you want to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with owning your own home, you need to know that it’s built to last.
Water Damage Signs
Water damage can occur for many reasons, and it can lead to costly repairs, depending on how extensive the problem is. Ensure you thoroughly inspect all home areas for signs of water damage and mould. You can do this by looking at the walls for discoloration or mildew growth or checking for dampness in certain areas.
Therefore, if there are signs of mould or water damage on walls, ceilings, or even some furniture (e.g., kitchen or bathroom cabinets) in the home you’re about to buy, you should think twice before making an offer.
Roof and Gutters
In most cases, you might need professional expertise to inspect the roof covering correctly. Still, there are a few things you should be able to spot on your own. For instance, try to pay attention to the overall appearance of the roof and the gutters that go around it. Check if there are any apparent signs of leaks, holes, unusual wear, and tear, organic growth issues, or missing or warped shingles.
When it comes to inspecting the gutters, they must be installed securely in order to drain water. If they are sagging, hanging loosely, tilted instead of level, aren’t connected at the seams, or are dropping nails to the ground, it might be a sign of serious problems that could cost you a hefty amount of money.
Windows
The windows are one of the most important assets of a home. Therefore, their bad condition could be a definite dealbreaker. Replacing them can get quite expensive, so it’s crucial that you know what you should pay attention to then viewing a house. For instance, if you’re looking at an old build, the windows are likely to have only one pane of glass. Single panes don’t do much in terms of insulation and they certainly won’t help you keep the energy bills low.
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When touring a house, don’t hesitate to open and close the windows in each room. See how smoothly they work, check how much force you need to use to open and shut them. Then, check if there aren’t any cracks in the glass. If there are lots of windows that are cracked or shattered, you could even try to negotiate the price with an owner, as replacing the glass isn’t a cheap home improvement project you can do on your own. On top of that, if the windows’ frames are made of wood, it’s crucial to check them for drafts, warping, and signs of moisture or mould. Vinyl frames should be more reliable, but it’s still worth inspecting them thoroughly.
Conclusion
When buying a new house, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Stay attentive to the details and, if possible, take your time when touring. No home is absolutely perfect, and there might be some unexpected issues even in a completely new build one.
However, these can fall into the category of problems that you should be able to solve on your own, not the ones that can cost you lots of time, money, and nerves. Additionally, keep in mind that while hiring a home inspector is not required, it might be a critical step during the home buying process that usually is money well spent. Good luck!
