As you embark on your home buying journey, you may feel pressured to make a decision quickly due to the fast market. While the listing picture may make it seem like it’s the perfect home, nothing compares to touring the home yourself. Before you make a hasty decision, there are some things you will want to keep in mind!
Attractive interior design can easily mask red flags that seem small now but could turn into a bigger problem after moving in. As you begin your home tour keep this checklist in mind to ensure it is truly the right home for you.
Here are five things you should keep in mind at each home you’ll be touring:
Location
Is your home location convenient to you? Is your neighborhood a good fit? On your way to touring your could be home, scout out your surroundings and pay close attention to how the neighbors take care of their home, loud noises, traffic and accessibility to freeways. Driving through a neighborhood will give you a good impression of what life is like there, and sometimes this is enough to tell if the property is for you or not.
Wall and floor condition
Take a moment to notice the flooring and wall condition. Do not be afraid to ask about the history and if it has existing issues. Sapping floors or cracked walls may indicate water damage and structural issues leading to expensive repairs and can be a future problem if no action is taken.
Home layout and room sizes
Does the floor plan of the home seem suitable to you and your family’s needs? It may look easy to renovate a home to create a suitable layout for your family but it can get really expensive. Make sure to check every room and space and see if the layout is a fit for you and your family.
Odors
Ensure that there aren’t any odors out of the ordinary- this includes harsh chemical smells and cleaners that are often used to mask other potentially harmful or unpleasant odors. Unpleasant smells can be indicative of larger, costly problems. Odors leave a seriously negative impression, regardless of how attractive the house is. The odors suggest uncleanliness and could be hazardous to your health.
Other odors to look out for are cigarette and pet smells. It can be challenging to remove these types of odors and can cost you a fortune.
Air conditioners
Air conditions that are not well taken care of can create loud, unpleasant noise. Inspect the condition of the unit in greater detail and ask about the last time it was serviced. Take note of how many units are present and when it was first installed. These are all things that can help you indicate the overall health of the unit and if you will have to replace it fairly soon.
In a market like this, you may feel pressured to make a hasty decision about putting an offer on a home, but it is essential that you pay attention to things that could cost you a fortune later. Consider making a list of your likes and dislikes about each home, and view it again if necessary. a home is one of the most significant investments you will make, you’ll want to make it count!
Your new home awaits, are you ready to start the home-buying process? Contact me today to start the pre-approval process!
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