5 Things That Say A Lot About a Homeowner's Attention to Detail

Posted On Wednesday, 21 April 2021 21:54

Buying a home is a huge investment. For many people, it is the single most expensive purchase they will ever make. As a buyer yourself, you are going to invest hundreds of thousands, if not more, in a home where you and your family can make lasting memories. It is a safe bet you want to buy from a homeowner who pays attention to the details.

Such homeowners are more likely to take good care of their properties. They are likely to pay attention to the little things that often go unnoticed when homes are bought and sold. So how can you increase your chances of buying from such a homeowner? By looking for a few tell-tale signs. Homeowners who pay attention to the details leave evidence behind. You just have to know what to look for.

Here are five things that say a lot about a homeowner's attention to detail:

1. A Well-Manicured Exterior

Just about every homeowner will clean up the exterior of the property before getting ready to sell. But cleaning things up and spending years manicuring a property are two different things. You can tell the difference. Look for properties that appear as though professional gardeners live in them. That level of manicuring is a tell-tale sign that a detail-orientated homeowner lives there.

Just consider what goes into keeping the exterior of a home looking good. You have to keep the grass cut and neatly trimmed. If you do not have any grass in the front or the back garden, you still may have small shrubs, bushes, or plants to care for. There might be a small tree or two. Any greenery on the exterior of the home has to be maintained or it will grow out of control.

Exterior maintenance also includes keeping steps, drives, and walkways clean. A well-manicured exterior doesn't display rubbish or clutter in these areas. There are no concrete stains, mould, or algae. And of course, there are no broken lights or fixtures.

2. Clean Kitchens and Bathrooms

It has been said that kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms when it comes time to sell a home. Assuming that this is true, homeowners who pay attention to the details will give extra attention to these rooms prior to showing the home. You should notice extra clean appliances and fixtures. That's just for starters.

Older fixtures that look like they have been through a war and back will be replaced by a detail-oriented homeowner prior to sale. If you view a home with fixtures that are in poor shape, it is a good bet that the homeowner doesn't pay attention to such things.

The sinks and tubs should be clean and free of water stains. The toilet should be clean as well – especially the bowl. Check for dust on the windowsills and, in the kitchen, grease on the cooker or hood. If the kitchen and baths are spotlessly clean and in good condition, you are working with a conscientious homeowner.

3. Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors

Next up are fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The latter is found in just about every home these days, so what you are really looking for are smoke detectors that actually work. Feel free to test them when you're viewing a home for sale. As for fire extinguishers, these are less common in homes, though they should not be.

A fire extinguisher demonstrates that a homeowner is aware of fire safety and is making an effort to practice it. For the record, you are not necessarily looking for an integrated fire suppression system running throughout the home. Even a couple of small fire extinguishers in key locations helps. Look for one in the kitchen. If the home has an attached garage, look for one there as well.

Assuming you find one in both locations, you should also notice that they are different types. An all-purpose fire extinguisher is the best choice for the kitchen. In the garage, you need one that is suitable for extinguishing fires related to solvents and flammable liquids. A homeowner who truly pays attention to the details will know this.

4. Home Security System

You might discover that a home you are viewing has both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as part of a larger home security system. Bonus! Any homeowner who invests in home security is likely one who pays attention to the little things. This is why the home security system is there.

A basic home security system protects against loss resulting from burglary and fire. From there, homeowners can add protection against carbon monoxide poisoning, flood, and even health emergencies. The icing on the cake is 24-hour monitoring.

Along with home security equipment, look for things like deadbolt locks on the doors and heavy-duty locks on the windows. These are not necessarily an indication that a home is located in a high crime area. Rather, it could just be a sign of the homeowner understands how much more effective such locks are at preventing burglary.

5. Clean Windows

Perhaps the most telling sign of a homeowner who pays attention to details are clean windows. After all, how much time do most of us spend on the windows? There are people who live in a house their entire lives and never wash them. You can tell when the sun comes shining through at just the right angle.

If you check the windows and don't see any spots, be impressed. If the glass is crystal clear rather than cloudy, you have found a winner. Any homeowner who pays that much attention to the windows has likely paid attention to every other detail in the home. You can trust a home inspector who says that the home is in top-notch condition.

As long as you are investing hundreds of thousands in a new home, you might just as well purchase something you know is in good condition. The home inspection is critical for finding that kind of home. But above and beyond the inspection, look for a home owned by someone who pays attention to the details. A detail-oriented homeowner is likely to pay attention to things that cannot be seen during a cursory inspection.

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