Buying A Home? Don't Overlook These 3 Things
Posted on: 26 March 2018
The home buying process can feel quite overwhelming with everything you need to consider in such a short amount of time. If your offer is accepted, you need to quickly move on to getting a home inspection to find out the nitty-gritty about what is going on with the home's structure. Here are some things you do not want to overlook about a home when you are looking into it more closely.
1. The Home's Roof
Many potential buyers get consumed with the home's interior that they do not put much thought into the exterior. The one thing they should be looking into is right above their head the whole time they are looking at the home. While you won't have the chance to inspect the roof during the initial showing, you will get the opportunity during the home inspection.
Your inspector can help you determine the roof's current age, discover any problems, and let you know how long it will be until you need a roof replacement. If you don't have the extra cash on hand, it may not be worth it to buy a home that needs a roof replacement in the near future.
2. The Home's Plumbing
Plumbing repairs can be expensive, which is why you do not want to overlook the plumbing. During your initial walkthrough, you can figure out the age of the hot water heater by looking at the information on the side of the tank. If the basement has exposed pipes, confirm what kind of pipes the home has. Older galvanized plumbing can be problematic, and eventually require upgrading to copper.
Don't be shy about going around the home and testing water pressure to see if water is flowing well. Poor water pressure can be a sign that there are blockages in old galvanized plumbing, with those hot water pipes typically being much worse than the cold water pipes.
3. The Home's Smell
Do not ignore the smell of the home while you are walking through it. Strong scent management could be an indication that the owner is trying to hide something. Is there a hint of mildew or sewage in the air? If so, it is a sign of water damage or plumbing problems that need repair.
Be aware that pet odors and smoke are hard smells to get rid of in a home. It will require a deep cleaning and potentially ripping out carpeting to get rid of those smells once you move in. For more information on real estate for sale in your area, contact your local realtor.
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