People often ask, “What Do You Look For Before You Buy a House?”.
Those who do not ask (or seek the answer to) that question, are going to buy a house relying on sheer luck.
In this article, I will give you the top 5 places to start your journey, so you will be more likely to know what to look for before you buy a house.
Add to the list as it fits your situation.
#1 Check Out the Neighbors
Drive throughout the neighborhood before you buy a house. I cannot emphasize this enough!
It is important for you to drive through during a workday, weekend day, and the night of the same days.
Is this the neighborhood you are comfortable with?
Are there too few/ too many children? Before you purchase a house, you will want to know that you and the existing neighborhood are a good fit.
Do the homes and yards look like what you expect yours to look like?
How heavy is the traffic in front of this house on a workday/evening/weekend day/evening?
Look at the space between the houses. You have to decide whether you like being close to your neighbors or you wish to have more privacy.
Also keep in mind that someday you may wish to add a pool/deck/extra room/shed and have need of enough space to get a big truck into the backyard.
When you drive through the neighborhood, see if there is more than one way to get to a main road. One-way in or out could mean a bottleneck during rush hours (morning and night), as well as issues during an emergency or road work.
#2 Don’t Get Shocked or Drowned
Check the electrical and plumbing completely before you buy a house. This is another one of those ICETEA issues * I Cannot Emphasize This Enough (A)*.
Flush every toilet, turn on every light and faucet (including any outside).
You might want to run the tub/shower, sink, and flush the bathroom toilet, all at the same time. Be aware of any faucets that run slower than the others? The same goes for sink/shower/tub drains. Plumbing issues can get very expensive.
Check all outlets (top and bottom).
Take note of any switches that do not seem to do anything.
Electrical problems are not only expensive, but can be a safety issue.
Check the heating and cooling components, regardless of the time of year. You do not want to wait 3-4 months to find that the heat/cooling does not work.
#3 Check Out the Highs and Lows
Check out the attic/basement.
In the attic, check the underside of the roof for signs of leaks and/or damage.
Is there any insulation, and if so, is it adequate and in good condition?
If the house has a basement, check for adequate lighting and ventilation.
Look for any signs of water seepage. New walls/baseboards/flooring in a basement could be a warning. Stains on the underside of the roof could be an indication of patching.
Is the air fresh, or is there a musty/mildew smell?
Be aware of how convenient the access is to the attic/basement.
Make sure the roof (shingle/tile/etc) looks complete and uniform.
#4 Space to Live and Grow
Look closely at the yard (front, sides, and back) before you buy a house. ICETEA
What you see is what you get. Make sure there is adequate yard area for the vision you have of your yard.
You will have little problem moving/removing bushes/flowers that are taking up needed space, but if a tree is where you envision a Bar-B-Que deck, you will need to re-think your options/plans.
In most communities, it is expensive/impossible to remove a tree.
If there is a noticeable ground slope, make sure it slopes away from the house.
See if you can tell where the property lines are.
“Fences make good neighbors” is an old saying, but very true. It would be nice if the house has a fence separating it from its neighbors . It can always be removed/modified later, but at the very least, it will establish the true property lines.
#5 Open Door Policy
Check all windows and doors
Open and close all the windows to make sure they slide easily, and seal tight.
Open and close all the doors. Make sure the locks work properly on all of the entry doors. There should be no jiggle when the door is closed. Also, you should not see any daylight around the edges of the door.
Here is your ‘Before You Buy a House’ list of tools.
1. Small, powerful flashlight (for the attic/basement/closet/etc).
2. Nightlight or volt meter (to check outlets).
3. Telescoping mirror (check behind stove/refrigerator/etc).
These are things that you should do to satisfy your basic concerns before you buy a house, but when you get serious enough to make an offer, you should hire a licensed home inspector.
A home is an expensive investment. The cost of an expert opinion is insignificant in comparison. ICETEA.
After buying your home, here’s a tip:
Take pictures of ALL rooms including floors, ceilings, walls, and fixtures (sink. Tub/shower, etc). Taking pictures (from every angle) of the outside of the house will also be helpful. Be sure to include pictures of the yard (front, sides, and back) from the house and from the property lines. It wouldn’t hurt to also take pictures looking down each property line. There should be flags/stakes to help. Looking at these pictures can help give you ideas of future possibilities.
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