HOUSE HUNTING BEYOND THE WOW FACTOR

Don’t wait until you move in to discover your home’s a money pit!

Buyer’s remorse is an awful feeling but it can be absolutely devastating when it’s a huge purchase like a house. To avoid this from happening, it’s important to not let your heart rule decision making process.

Ensuring the home of your dreams comes without hidden structural issues and problems is key to a successful purchase. Getting a home inspection is important but you’ll still want to be aware of the following areas:

• Rotting Roof – Roof leaks can be very difficult to spot. If possible, inspect the celling area of the attic as it will be much easier to identify water stains.
• Water Damage – Check window seals and stains on ceilings. If possible plan a visit just after or during a rain storm so you can really investigate the home.
• Deferred Maintenance – Routine home maintenance that has been put off can be a red flag. If certain issues aren’t caught early on, they can result in costly repairs.
• Basement Woes – An inspection of the basement will help you determine the age of the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and how well they’ve been maintained. Also, be on the alert for musty smells.
• Cracking Up – Check hard surface flooring for large cracks and also focus around windows and corners. Go outside and examine the size and proximity of trees as roots can cause big problems.

Buying a home can sometimes be stressful so check your emotions at the door and do your due diligence in order to avoid ugly surprises after you’re all moved in. It’s also important to budget for any unexpected home expenses that might come up post-purchase. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!