People don't often think about details such as sewer lines and water damage marks when they are creating their house-hunting wishlist. But those are all things that you must pay attention to if you want to purchase a house that is worth your money.
The House’s Exterior
First and foremost, you will need to make sure that the house exterior is in proper condition and that it is sturdy. Even though there will have to be a home inspection to ensure everything is safe, there are still some red flags that you as a buyer should look out for. The first main exterior component that you need to look at is the roof. A lot of people don't realise just how expensive new roofs are. They can go over 15000 dollars, so that is why you should always look at the roof. You should always ask how old the roof is, but you shouldn't be out if the roof is old. That doesn't mean that it needs to be replaced. If a roof is well maintained it will be able to last for decades.
The next thing that you should look into is the foundation of the house. As most realise, there is nothing more important than having a home that has a good foundation. That is because foundation problems can cause so many issues down the line and they can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. All you need to do is keep an eye out for any cracks in the walls as well as windows and doors that jam. And one of the last things that you should look at when you are checking out a house is any issues with paint, rotting wood or any other signs of decay.
Make Sure There Are No Signs Of Water Damage
There are almost no worse things than purchasing a house and then finding out that it has water damage. That is why you need to inspect the house carefully and look for any signs. One of the most common dead giveaways that the house has water damage are discoloured rings on the feelings or other different surfaces. But those are not the only clues that you should look out for. Make sure that you are paying attention to the smells. Here is a well known musty smell that will always give away that there is water damage.
Reasonable Renovation Needs
Even though most people will renovate the house they end up buying, you have to make sure that the renovations won't cost you more than the house itself. If you think that a house is perfect but it needs a complete kitchen to remodel, it might not be as perfect as you think it is. When you are buying a fixer-upper you will have to make sure that the price of the house, as well as all the renovations, will fit in your budget. One of the key things that you should pay attention to is windows. Even though we all love the look of rustic windows, if they are super old and all of them need to be changed out, it will cost you a lot of money.
Make Sure There Are No Hazards
Even though most older homes have their own charm and soul, most of them will be filled with mould, lead paint as well as asbestos. Some might even have pest infestations. These are all things that you must pay attention to when you are purchasing a home. You won’t need to hire a professional in order to see if there is asbestos or mould but when it comes to pests you will need to hire termite inspection. When it comes to finding out if there is lead paint all you need to do is get the kit from your local hardware store and you are good to go. Another thing that you should look out for is any insurance claims. All you need to do is ask the real estate agent to find out that information. If there are insurance claims, that can affect your insurance rate.
Find The Right Neighbourhood
Another important thing that you need to look for when you are buying a house is that it is in the right neighbourhood. If you are someone who wants to live in a quiet area a home that is within a walking radius of restaurants and clubs will not be a fit for you. Another thing to consider is area schools, even if you don't have kids right now, if you are planning on staying and having kids, you should look for neighbourhoods that have schools nearby. Always choose a house in a neighbourhood that you feel comfortable in.
When you are choosing your home, it is important that you know what you are looking for and that you are following your heart. If you have a gut feeling that the house, you're looking at is your forever home, you should go with it even if it has some minor issues.
