Around 13% of Americans move home every year. Some are expert movers and have moved several times throughout their life. But others are moving into their first-ever property.
Buying a new house, whether it’s your first or fifth move, can be stressful and expensive. You don’t want to make it even more stressful and expensive by buying one with lots of hidden issues. You want to make sure any home prospect is in excellent condition so you can move in and enjoy your new home ASAP.
But what are the things to look for and ways to test any potential home prospect? This guide will show you exactly what to do.
Turn Everything On and Off
No, you’re not rebooting a computer! You’re checking that all the electrics and other appliances work as they should.
When you enter a room, turn the lights and all the plug sockets on and off. This will alert you to any potential electrical issues in your home prospect.
Turn the taps and AC units on and off and check that every door with a lock works as it should and that there’s a key.
If it has a fireplace, insist on lighting it to see if it and the chimney are functional. Even if this isn’t a deal-breaker, you should have all the facts.
Use Your Senses
Use sight, touch, hearing, and smell to detect underlying issues in a property. As you walk into every room, ask the following questions:
- Can you smell gas, mold, or dampness?
- Do you feel a draught from the windows or doors?
- Can you hear traffic on the road outside or neighbors arguing?
- Can you see cracks in the walls, exposed wires, or cracked tiles?
The little details matter!
Don’t Forget the Exterior
Some of the most expensive house repairs are to the exterior of the home. So, don’t forget to walk around the property to ensure the outside is solid.
Check the roof for cracked or missing tiles and ensure the drains and gutters work. Take notice if the neighbors overlook your garden and how much landscaping the yard might need.
Hire a Home Inspector
Even if you are very thorough when you look around a home prospect, you should still book a certified home inspection. These people are professionals who know every trick in the book. They will be able to guarantee that you know the true extent of the work you need to undertake should you want to buy the house.
So, Is Your Home Prospect In Good Shape?
If you follow this guide, you should feel confident in answering that question. As long as both you and a professional take enough time and care to do a thorough inspection of your home prospect, you’ll have done your due diligence.
When you’re buying a new house, making sure its structure is a-okay is only the beginning. You’ll need to renovate and redecorate to suit your taste, too! Lucky for you, our website has tons of home improvement tips and tricks to get you started.
