Buying a home is a big financial decision and knowing where to focus your attention and what to ignore during a home tour can help. Touring a home before purchasing is one of the most important parts of the homebuying process. You probably have some idea of the things you need in a home, the things you want in a home, and things you absolutely don’t want in a home. But when you tour a home in person, it’s easy to lose focus or pay attention to the wrong details. You should look hard at things that cannot change or will be expensive to change and concentrate less on things that aren’t permanent. The below list will help you make an informed decision and buy your home with confidence.
A leaks that goes undetected for months could cause significant damage or bring mold and eventually cause havoc to the home. Stains or paint blistering on the wall and ceilings, dark spots on the walls, peaking or cupping in wood floors, a bouncy floor or a mildew smell are all signs of water damage.
If you will need to add storage in future this can take significant space in a room, where will you keep your vacuum cleaner, towels and linen? As you are touring the home you will likely notice if there are plenty of closets, cabinets, and other storage areas, but it can be as easy to overlook their inadequacy, and to double check if there is room for more cupboards to be built in.
Spotting a crack in the wall is not good as it might be a sign of serious structural problems. Small drywall cracks are probably nothing to worry about but a crack on the wall whether diagonally or horizontally could indicate a more serious foundation issue.
Do they lock properly? Open and close them just to make sure. Faulty windows should not be a huge deal breaker and it will not be such a big headache getting it fixed, but the cost can add up if you end up replacing them.
In our increasingly gadget driven world having enough plug points is a big selling point and worth taking note when viewing a property, are there enough power points? Are they in good condition? Rewiring your new home can be an expensive business.
You do not want to hear your neighbours every word - and vice versa. If the home you are viewing has a television or a radio, ask the realtor to turn them on and play some music, then go outside to ensure that you can’t hear the music.
If you do like the home after viewing, arrange for another viewing at a different time of day - this will allow you to scout out the area a bit more, and get a feel if you could make it the area your home. Are there noisy roads or train tracks closeby? Will it be easy to get public transport? Are there rowdy bars or pubs in the evening?
Do not be fooled by strategically placed lighting, the fresh licks of paints, delicious smells or cleverly placed mirrors - all these are tricks to make a home look more appealing.Sellers place smaller furnishings to make the rooms seem bigger, assuming you will not be purchasing the home furnished or as is ask yourself, will your own furniture fit? Are the rooms enough for you?
For both electrical and plumbing matters it might be a good idea to arrange another viewing and to bring an expert along, as incase of any underlying issues with either plumbing or electrical it will be hard to decipher with the naked eye. But on your first viewing you can run the taps to check the water pressure, ask to see the electrical boxes to check if there are alot of exposed wiring.
Are there any major changes planned for the area? New developments can mean increased traffic, but they might also mean increased property value.
