Buying a home can be both an exhilarating and frustrating experience to deal with, especially if it is your first home and you are not certain what you should look for when house hunting. While it may seem as if the check list of what you should be looking for while house hunting is a rather lengthy one, the fact is that by taking the time needed, initially, to check these items you will be able to save a great deal of time, expense and frustration in repair issues later. Aside from the expense aspect, you will also be able to have peace of mind in knowing that your home is in good shape for you and your family.
There are several things that you will want to check in a potential home but here are a few key points that can ensure your home is a comfortable one for you and your family.
- Check the basement and attic: Not all houses will have a basement or an attic, but if they should then you want to be certain to inspect them. The attic can give you an indication if there is a leaky roof issue and the basement can give you an idea of there is a flooding issue. If the house doesn’t have an attic check the ceiling carefully, especially inside of closets and cupboards. While a fresh coat of paint may hide water damage, many people ignore painting over stains in these areas.
- Look under the sink cabinets at the pipes to make certain there have been no ruptures
- Look at the heating and cooling systems to determine their age and the last time they were serviced. You will also want to look at the hot water heater as well for the same purpose.
- Check the outside of the house if it is wooden to make certain that termite damage and rot aren’t issues.
- Inspect the window sills and door frames to make certain that there are no signs of dampness or mold.
These few tips will make your house hunt smoother for you.