Things Homebuyers Don't Want to Overlook When Looking at Homes for Sale

Posted on: 30 September 2016

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Buying a new house can make you feel overwhelmed and excited at the same time. After all, when you tour homes for sale, you're looking for a house that fits all of your family's needs, but you also need to make sure you aren't overlooking important details and factors. The good news is, by learning what house features you should always inspect when buying a home, you can make the overall process easier so that worrying about the small details won't overshadow the fun of the buying process.

The Roof

It's common for people to get so caught up in inspecting the inside of the house and checking the size of the yard that they completely forget to look up. However, roof repairs are often a major expense, so you need to make sure "inspecting the roof" is on your checklist. While you probably won't have the opportunity to climb up on the roof of the houses you're touring, gathering some general info will be helpful. Before you make an offer on a home, you need to find out the age of the roof, whether there are any cracked or missing shingles, and whether the gutters and downspouts are securely attached to the house, and whether there are any areas that appear to be sagging, crumbling, or coming loose. Also, it's a good idea to have the roof inspected by a professional before finalizing the purchase agreement. Spending a small amount of money on a professional inspection could save you from spending a large amount of money on repairs in the future.

The Plumbing

Plumbing problems are also a costly expense. However, because you can't see the majority of a home's plumbing during a simple tour of the house, a lot over people overlook the plumbing completely. Fortunately, potential plumbing problems are easy to spot if you pay attention. Sagging floors, water-stained walls and ceilings, and mildew are all indicators of plumbing problems. Also, you should always test the water pressure throughout the house and make sure all of the sinks and bathtubs in the home drain properly. Additionally, you need to flush all of the toilets in the house to make sure they flush correctly and listen to make sure they shut off after they are flushed. Lastly, make sure you ask about the age, location, and condition of the home's hot-water heater.

The Way a House Smells

You might be surprised to find that the way a house smells could indicate problems. For example, if you tour a house that smells faintly of dirt or sewage, this could indicate that the home's sewer system isn't functioning properly. Additionally, you can often smell mold or mildew, even if you can't see it. You should also pay close attention to odors that are difficult to get rid of, such as pet odors or the smell of cigarette smoke.

It's very easy to overlook important things when you're touring houses that are for sale. But taking the time to learn how to spot indicators of larger problems before your real-estate agent takes you to look at potential new houses can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. Look at a variety of homes from companies such as Coldwell Banker Pro West until you find a house that can become your dream home.