Even if you’re in a rush to buy a home, it’s a mistake to rush the process. A lot can go wrong when you buy a home without doing your due diligence. That’s one of the reasons that 82% of millennials have some regrets after buying their homes.
If you’re getting ready to start a home tour, you’ll need to know what to look out for in a home. Below are seven critical items you need to watch for during an open house.
1. Wall and Ceiling Stains
Leaks are one of the last things you want to deal with in a potential home. They may not be a big deal if it’s a pipe under a sink or similar area, but other areas are much harder to reach.
Water stains on the ceiling and walls will point to a water leak. You likely have a pipe leak if you see water stains on your lower walls. It can be a slow leak, or a pipe may have burst.
If you see a leak on the ceiling or the upper walls, you may have a leak in the roof. You’ll need to ask for a roof inspection to find the leak and get it patched.
2. Foundation Issues
Some home repairs don’t take much to take care of. A quick visit from a professional is enough to resolve the problem. Foundation issues aren’t one of those problems.
A foundation issue is a serious safety concern for a home. The last thing you want is to purchase a house you can’t live in because it’s not safe.
One big sign of a bad foundation is cracked walls or floors. They can be large and easily spotted.
Other foundation issues aren’t as obvious to spot. You can see them in misaligned doors and windows, so you need to look hard to find the problem.
3. Potential Flooding
You have to take care when your home is next to a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s an ocean, large lake, or a small creak. When it rains hard, it’s possible for flooding to occur and impact your home.
This is even more important if your land slopes. Water drains down to your home increases the chance of flooding issues.
If a home is in this situation, it’s essential to look for a sump pump. This pump will ensure rainwater gets pumped out of the house and prevents flooding.
Other areas will need flood insurance if the risk is high enough. Keep the extra cost of this insurance in mind if it’s a concern. If the home has previously flooded, make sure it was repaired by a professional company like 1-800-Water damage who specialize in disaster restoration in holly springs. A professional restoration job ensures you will not have mold and mildew issues in the future.
4. Roofing Issues
A roof isn’t always an easy fix. While you won’t pay much if you have a few loose shingles here and there, other issues are more severe and need a roof replacement.
Luckily, it isn’t too hard to learn about roof issues. A quick look at the roof will show you any visible damage. Often, that’s enough to spot any problems.
If you notice any signs of problems, get an inspection if you get an accepted offer. Not verifying issues and looking for issues before you buy is one of the worst mistakes you can make.
Make sure you learn more about other things you shouldn’t skip before buying.
5. Storage Area
The living area may appear large enough, but that doesn’t mean there’s enough space for your needs. You’re only going to want to put so much stuff out in the open. For everything else, it needs to go into storage.
Unfortunately, not every large home has enough storage. There are only a few closets to store everything and not much space in the primary bedroom.
Look into the closet areas to ensure there’s enough space for your needs. Try to measure your current storage requirements to see if everything you have will fit at the new location.
6. Bad Smells
A home’s smell is one of the easiest things to get right, so it says something if a house smells when you go on your home tour. Smells that don’t go away mean you likely have a more significant issue to take care of.
Some common issues that cause this are mold and mildew. While mildew isn’t a huge deal, it can be troublesome. On the other hand, mold can cost a lot of money to fix.
If you can, try to track down the source and cause of the smell during your home tour to see if it’s a severe issue you’ll need to deal with.
7. Your Neighbors
A home can appear fantastic and have everything you need, but that still doesn’t make it the right choice. Even if a home offers everything, you still don’t want to have bad neighbors.
Take a good look at your neighborhood before buying a home after your tour. You want to see neighbors that take care of their homes and keep the place in shape.
It also pays to see how transportation works. Are you near a lot of amenities and public transit? That’s an essential consideration if you have limited vehicles and need to go out during the day.
Don’t Take Your Time During a Home Tour Easy
When you take a home tour, you need to be on your guard to track down any issues that make a property worth not buying. However, it isn’t always easy to know what to look for when buying a home. Keep the tips above in mind when you tour homes during the buying process and find the perfect home for your needs.
Head back to the blog to read the latest posts to learn more about what qualities to look for in a home.