Of course, the general things you should look for when house hunting is the school district, crime rate, walk rate, and all that good jazz. But you should also get the places with pools inspected if there is one, watch for odors that can be a forewarning, and check all the house’s appliances to make sure they are in good standing.
Updated Appliances
You having updated appliances provided, if any at all, is essential. Be sure that you test and thoroughly inspect all devices during your viewings. You don’t want to be stuck with moving and hauling fees to remove everything from the kitchen because it was only for decoration.
Is the Pool Safe
If there are pools, there are many reasons to get a pool inspected before buying a home with one. Yes, having a pool would be luxurious and a great way to keep people entertained—but ensure that nothing’s lingering in the pool.
Any Signs of Mildew
Mildews means excess water, and that means a leak or continual drip somewhere. That means buying moisture eliminators and mothballs to prevent it from causing an odor throughout the home and eventually becoming mold. Is that a smell you want to deal with?
Cracks
One thing you should look for when house hunting that we tend to gloss over is the cracks in the floors and ceilings. Whether they are in the walls, inside, outside, or to the mainframes, it’s a cautionary tale. Damages are cautionary because they can be foundational cracks that need to be further assessed by a structural engineer for your safety.
Deterioration
Be wary of things falling apart; yes, you may be able to fix it and get the asking price lower, but is deterioration worth it? Some signs to pay attention to are sloped and bouncy floors, uneven walls, cracking paint around the doorway, and you get a whiff of an unpleasant odor that you can’t identify.
Updated HVAC Appliances
Before getting attached to a house, you should first check all the HVAC appliances and make sure they are functional. Next, please stop by the sub-pump, water heater, and furnace on your home tour, and ask about their condition. If they are not updated, you may want to consider adding that to your budget for the home.
It’s easy to get sidetracked when you’re viewing so many properties so swiftly. If necessary, create a checklist to take with you to each viewing so you don’t forget anything when making your final decision on which home to purchase.
