We all run into this problem. We find a house that seems good on the outside and maybe even on the inside, but there’s a hidden problem that we can’t see. We buy the house and there’s either a hoard of termites in a place no one thought to look, or there’s a mold problem or some other problem that has us scratching our heads wondering how we could have missed it. Luckily, there are tell-tale signs of a good house and a bad house.
1. What’s Happening on the Roof
One thing that you might not think to look at is the roof. You might walk inside without ever looking up, but if you make that mistake, then you’ll end up literally paying for it later. A new roof can end up costing up to $10,000, so that’s definitely a mistake that you want to avoid. Before you ever step inside the house, check what’s happening on top. Ask about the age of the roof and what it’s made out of so you will know how much longer you should expect it to last. If you’re daring, get up on a latter and actually take a real look at it. Check for leaks or anything that might look suspicious. Overall, just make sure that you’re buying a sound roof with no holes, wears, or damage.
2. Ask About the Plumbing
Plumbing problems are one of the most annoying problems in a new house. When you move in, you expect everything to go smoothly, but there is nothing worse than finding that you have a drain that is always backing up or a sink that is constantly clogged. If that is a pet peeve of yours, then you should make sure to always ask about the plumbing. Ask about how old it is and how recent the last repairs were. Maybe even ask if they have had a history of plumbing problems or not. If the plumbing is older, then you might want to reconsider a new house (if plumbing is a deal breaker for you. To replace a whole plumbing system you’re looking at a product that will cost between $8,000 and $10,000. If that’s worth it to you, then great! If not, move on.
3. Look at the Heating System
In older homes, heating systems can be faulty or the insulation can be bad. If so, it’s an expensive job to fix. To replace just the heating and cooling system, it’s between $2,000 and $3,000. That’s not including any costs for fixing the insulation inside the walls or costs to seal windows and door frames. Make sure that all exterior glass doors are insulated as well. Having a poorly heated or a poorly cooled house can be torture during the highs and the lows of the year. So before you buy, look at the heating and cooling system in the home. Check it’s age and its efficiency. If the house is too hot when you walk in then that might suggest a problem since most homeowners want it to be a good temperature when potential buyers come by to look.
4. Take a Deep Whiff
When you walk into the house, take a deep breath. A lot of the time, the smell that a house has will remain for a long time. If the house smells bad from the previous owner then you’ll have a house that smells bad for a year or two. If you walk in and you smell sewage or gas, then that sheds light on an even bigger problem that you definitely will not want to take over. That would imply that there is a problem with the sewage and that the gases are leaking up into the house. A gas leak would be even worse and you should alert the homeowners right away to make them aware. If either of those things happen, don’t buy the house.
Make sure that the house is overall the right place for you. When you walk through the house, feel free to ignore wall paint or wallpaper since you can easily and cheaply change it. Also, ignore the placement of furniture left behind. But keep an eye out for anything that could cause major problems for you in the future.
