Buying a new home is always an exciting project. Our experience closely matches the experiences of almost every single family we’ve encountered over the years. During our forays into the real estate market, we’ve heard not only many horror stories, but also many stories of the wonderful little things some home sellers and real estate agents have done.
To be fair, I believe that many of the ugly awakenings that arise after purchase of a home are not necessarily the fault of dishonest sellers or disinterested agents. Most homeowners are honest hard-working people, and most will already have poured a lot of money into their residence; money we can’t always see at first glance. But we’re all human. Sometimes even the most observant are blind to defects that to another person might leap out at them, and of course, vice versa.
When I mention things we should consider, I’m looking beyond a home inspection. We normally get a home inspection, but we should always remember that a typical home inspection can go only so far. Even an experienced home inspector cannot see behind the walls. Surface indications may only give him/her hints. Of course a competent inspector will get up and look at the roof, get down and check beneath the house for signs of termites or other deterioration. A good home inspector will probably check a lot of little details that may not have occurred to us.
But there are a few things we should do ourselves, and through our many years of having to move from time to time, we’ve learned to give particular notice to the following:
1. The floors
Of course they should be solid, but are they going to work for our needs? Are they hardwood? If so, what kind of floor maintenance does it need? Are they going to need frequent work or are they durable? Are they really wood, or just a laminate? Floors take a lot of beating over time, so it’s important to get down and make sure that our floor is going to be a good match for us.
2. The Walls
Carefully wander around giving close scrutiny to the walls. Any signs of patches? If patches are ever made for whatever reason, a professional will repair them in a way that we’ll never know. If we can see the patch, it was done in some DIY fix and we may find out to our regret one day why that repair was put there in the first place. Check with the seller on these things.
3. Insulation and AC
Today nearly every home has air conditioning. Or has it? We’ve encountered some very nice homes, and although the furnace and blower were upstairs or even in the attic, we found to our dismay that with the air on, the first floor was just perfect while the upstair rooms remained suffocating. The best is of course, to have separate air conditioners for the upstairs and downstairs, but that isn’t always possible.
4. The Windows
We’ve learned to make certain all the windows open, close and lock properly. They should be double pane as well, although in some older homes, we may accept the single pane window.
5. Plumbing system
It pays to get down and carefully examine the floor around the toilet. The slightest sign of leakage can be a warning of ongoing problems. Not a big fix, but still not something you want to walk into with your eyes closed. You may probably need a help from a plumbing expert before it will become worse.
6. Appliances
Appliances should be checked. I don’t mean just to turn them on and see if they light up. Many appliances, be it a range, refrigerator, microwave or whatever, turn off and on, but do all their particular functions work properly? This can take a little time, but dealing with any such problems later on will cost not only more time, but more money as well.
7. Its Layout
We should really give some thought to the floor plan of the house. Sometimes we don’t at first stop to consider this, but later on, will there be bottlenecks as a busy family scurries about the house in preparation for the new day? Can we open the refrigerator without bumping into the dishwasher? Can we open the bathroom door without slamming it into the toilet, or perhaps its current occupant?
8. And Its Exterior
We had the roof examined and also took the pain to have a licensed roofer give us a certificate certifying that the roof had at least five more years of useful life, but what about the overall exterior? I’m not talking about work we didn’t notice before, but about the general color scheme and landscaping? Are we going to be satisfied with these for some time or is repainting the house going to be job number one? Are we happy with the landscaping? Can we live with it for a few years?
One of the biggest decisions that you will make in your life is buying a new home, for yourself or for your family. It is imperative for you stay prudent throughout the entire process. Fortunately, there are sound principles that can help you handle this task with ease.
I’ve already covered the first half of the topics here. This time, I will dive into a broader scope. Let’s take a close look at another eight things you should consider looking at when buying a home.
Use the Right Real Estate Listings Website
There are dozens of listing sites around today. It is vital for you to focus on using a credible real estate site with home listings that appeal to your area, budget, and target price. An exceptional real estate listings site will give you guides that can help you save precious time and find the home of your dreams.
Get More Details on the Listing
A real estate listing website will give you an opportunity to see many homes for sale in your area. You should get more details on the listings that get your attention. Real estate search engines like Zillow and EstateBlock provide in-depth demographics and neighborhood information, making it easier for you to gauge if the property you are eyeing is suitable for your needs and preferences. Let’s zero in on several important questions:
- - Is the home located near schools?
- - Is the crime rate low in the area?
- - Are hospitals or clinics nearby?
- - Is the home in an area where public transportation is accessible?
The answers to these questions will help you decide if the home will be ideal for you and your family.
Know Your Realtor
A realtor plays a big role in the home-buying process. You should choose an experienced realtor that has sold homes in your targeted area. A local realtor will be in the position to offer better results. It is also important for you to choose a realtor that speaks your language.
Inspect the Property
You cannot make a final decision without inspecting the property. A same-day showing with your realtor will give you a chance to see the home in person. Attending an open house is important because this will give you an opportunity to inspect the property. Keep in mind, though, that an open house is a selling tactic used by realtors. You and others will be invited to see the home during the same time period. Realtors use open houses to get home shoppers to compete with each other.
Take your time while inspecting the property. Look at the home’s structure, landscaping, and amenities. A thorough home inspection will let you know if the home is suitable for you and your family.
Examine the Surrounding Area
Concentrate on buying a home in an area with rising property values. Homes located near hospitals, shopping malls, and schools normally increase in market value over time. This will increase your home’s equity.
Move-In or Fixer-Upper?
You need to determine if the house is ready to move in or if it’s a fixer-upper. A move-in house does not need any cosmetic work. It is ready for you to move in as is. A fixer-upper requires minimal to major cosmetic work, such as re-painting, repairing minor damages to wood floors, fixing roof gutter and electrical systems, etc. Unlike the seller of a move-in home, a fixer-upper seller will be easier to negotiate with.
Terms of the Payment
Does the seller want full payment? Is the seller willing to take most of their money upfront and create a second mortgage? A second mortgage allows you to pay the remaining balance owed to the seller in the form of monthly payments. You should consider dealing with a home seller that is willing to accept a second mortgage if your lender will not provide the full amount for the purchase.
Go With Your Instincts
Your instincts will let you know if you are looking at the right home. Relying upon your instincts will help you make the right decision. You should also determine how the home will be used. Will it serve as a primary residence or a vacation home? It would be a grave mistake for you to ignore your instincts!
Buying a home will be one of the most important decisions that you will make in your life. Using the eight pointers listed above will help you buy the home of your dreams with ease.
