Things to Look Out For When Buying A Home

The purchase of a new home is an exciting event in life. Once you find the house that appears to be a perfect fit, take the time to check it out thoroughly before making a formal offer. It is extremely important to inspect a home thoroughly and know exactly what you can buy and save you money and headaches in the future. It's also a good idea to bring along someone who has construction industry experience and is willing to give a discerning eye and expert insight. If all of these things look good to okay to you, and you submit an offer, make certain to get an. independent home inspector to dig a bit deeper into the condition of the home. 

Outside of The Home

Walk around the home and carefully assess the exterior state of the home. Find out who did the work when it was last painted. Are the blinds intact? Is there proof of pests? Are there good repairs to the fences, sidewalks, and driveways? Are there cracks in the foundation or any other related issues? Learn how old the roof is and check for damage or leakage signs. Check the gutters and see if they are clean or not, and if the drains are clear and the downspouts point away from the house.

Crawlspaces & Attics

Check the crawl space and attic and look for mold, pest, water damage, or standing water signs. Make sure the ventilation and insulation are proper and ensure that the insulation is dry. Note if the crawl space has a vapor barrier or not.

Inside the Home

Notice how the inside has been maintained and if there are signs of weather damage or otherwise beyond the interior aesthetics. Does the ceiling contain watermarks? Do the floors in any area shrink or buckle? Are there any odors or odors unusual?

Condition of The Plumbing

Carefully check the entire home's plumbing. Flush all the toilets and turn all the faucets on to ensure that they are running properly. Look for signs of leaks under all sinks, behind toilets, around tubs and showers, current or past. Assess seals around sinks, toilets and bathrooms/showers as well as caulk condition. Take a look under the sink and toilets at the vent pipes and housings and look for signs of wear, damage or corrosion. Even check for signs of damage in the pipes below the home and in the attic.

Find out when or when the water heater was last replaced and ask when it was last flushed out. Check the pressure of the water and see how long it takes to reach each room with hot water. Ask if the water heater has been regularly serviced and find out who has been contracted to do so by the current homeowner.

Kitchen Layout & Condition

There's a lot to inspect in a kitchen. Starting with the appliances, find out how old they are, open them up to see the interior condition and see how clean they are. Note any odors that are musty or humid. Turn on the burners and faucets as well as the hood fan range. See if the doors of the cabinet are easy to open and close and if the drawers are clean and on their tracks.

Electrical Systems

Consider the home age and find out if it has ever been replaced by the wiring. Look at the breaker box and see if it works well for all breakers. If the wiring is not up to code, this is an important factor that should be taken into account. Carefully check all outlets, light switches and fixtures to ensure the proper functioning and there are no signs of disrepair.

Doors, Trim & Windows

Look carefully for signs of rotted or soft wood around doors, windows and trim work. Make sure that all glass is secure and no signs of breakage are present. Check the seals and ensure that the caulk is in good condition. Do you open and close doors and windows easily? These are areas that, depending on the season, need to be well maintained in order to keep the heat or cold in.

HVAC Condition

Ensure proper operation of the heating and cooling systems. Check the filters to see how clean they are and see what the system temperature is set on and whether the desired temperature is reached or not. If the setting does not match the temperature, this could be a sign of a system problem. Look at the filters and make sure they're clean and listen as it runs to the system. Find out how old the system is and judge how long it would take to replace it.

After evaluating the home carefully and finding that it's a perfect fit, you can feel confident that you're making a good purchase and look forward to getting the house into your home.