7 stuffs you should know before buying a home

When you want to buy a new house, it means looking deeper and not being left alone with what you see and realizing if that house needs repairs or things that at first glance seem to be all correct (but not). There are likely to be some issues when you thoroughly inspect the home you want to buy, but it's smart to go through all the details, even the smallest ones, before making an offer to keep it.

Finding a problem does not imply you can't buy the house. It just helps you get a much better idea of what to supply and what you'll be able to live with. A new home is a great investment, and you have to make sure your dream home doesn't turn into a nightmare when you're already inside.

Look at the ceiling

The first thing to know about your potential new home is the age and condition of the roof. The real estate agent should be able to explain this detail to you and if he does not know it, he must inquire to inform you. Do a visual inspection of the roof by walking around the house. Look for damaged or missing shingles, rusted spots, moss or dirt, and / or anything else that concerns you.

A damaged ceiling could seriously affect the interior and exterior of your home. If you have concerns, let your estate agent know so they can talk to the homeowner when you negotiate the offer.

Home performance

You need to take into account the type of air conditioner that the entire home has. You need to check your heating and air conditioning system to see that it really works well. Ask about the age of the system, turn the system on and off, see if the ducts are in good condition and if the filters fit well.

Hear how the air conditioning and heating units sound when they are running. Look for rust and dirt on the equipment. If you are satisfied with its initial appearance, pay close attention to the inspection report. Your home / building inspector will test the system and can give you more complete details.

If you think the system may need a replacement, ask for a quote for the installation and take that into account when making an offer to buy the home. If you need to replace any equipment, you can have the owner reduce the sale price by the amount of the replacement cost.

Possible water damage

Inside the house, look for water spots on the ceiling. Check under sinks in kitchen and bathrooms and test all faucets and showers. You will also need to check the basement, garage, or crawl space for a sump pump. All of these could indicate past or future problems with poor water drainage that could lead to flooding. Outside, look for sloping areas in the yard, standing water, drains, watermarks on the foundation… Even if the water problems are no longer active, it is good to know the problems of the past and what could arise in the future.

Possible faults

If you are determined to buy a house, you have to make sure to check the foundation of the house. Walk outside, go to the crawl space or basement and look for cracks and other red flags. Your inspector will also give you a full report on it. If there are faults, ask for a quote to fix it and make an offer with the owner to lower the initial purchase price.

Electricity

Don't let cosmetic repairs distract you from potential problems, especially in a freshly painted kitchen. Look at all the appliances to make sure they are in good condition.

Turn on the cooktop, run the dishwasher, and look in the refrigerator. Look for ground connections ... look at any details about electricity. Also, you will have to take a look at the plugs. You need to make sure everything works properly.

The Windows

It's a simple thing, but you need to check all the windows in the house to ensure all can be opened properly. This is important for fire safety as well as comfort on a warm day. Asking the homeowner to get a handyman to fix the windows is easy and if he doesn't want to do it, you will have to renegotiate the price.

Insects and pests

You may not see any unwanted critters during the day, but look around corners and cabinets for mouse droppings and roaches. Again, this is another easy fix. You can ask the owner for a timber pest inspection report and treatment as part of the purchase contract.

Understanding potential problems will make you more confident during the home buying experience, and allow you to enjoy your new home instead of worrying about what is wrong. It is up to you to decide if the faults you find are a deal breaker or an opportunity to get a better price on your new home. Contact Vital Building and Pest Inspections today!