Before you buy a home, you obviously want to make certain there is a professional home inspection done of the property. However, before you ever get that far in the homebuying process, you will need to know what to look for while you are “window” shopping.
Go shopping for a new home with an educated eye. Take a moment now to read through a brief look at some of the most important aspects of a home you should inspect while looking to purchase a new home.
Check the state of the roof
Replacing the roof on your home is expensive. You could pay thousands for a new roof if you get stuck with a home in ill repair.
Look for loose, damaged, or missing shingles as you walk the perimeter of the property. Look to see if there is any sagging. If you want to get real technical with your inspection, bring your drone along for the ride.
Look for cracks in the foundation
Cracks in the foundation of a home could be no big deal, but they could also be a foreboding foreshadowing of some critical issues. A damaged foundation can cause the structure of your home to shift, which can lead to even bigger problems.
Don’t take a risk of finding thousands in hidden problems, and skip on to the next potential listing. Unless you want a fixer-upper, you want to start with a home that doesn’t have any troublesome issues to address.
Keep an eye out for signs of water damage
Water is one of the home’s worst enemies. Leaky roofs, faucets, basements, or window seals can wreak havoc on a home. If you see signs of water damage, you could also find signs of mold or mildew buildup.
A home with mold and mildew can irritate allergies, asthma, and cause other breathing issues, especially for little ones or elderly people. The best thing is to avoid a prospective home that has clear signs of water damage.
Ask about the HVAC unit in the home
Take the time to test out and ask about the home’s HVAC unit before you go any further into the purchasing process. Ask the current owners what their regular schedule is for changing and servicing the air conditioning system in the home, so you have an idea of the state of the unit before you buy.
Check the water pressure and drainage
Turn on the water faucet in a home while you’re scouting out a place to lay your head. A home’s water pressure can say a lot about what’s going on beneath the house.
Check under cabinets for signs of leaky pipes, and make sure the basement doesn’t have any water stains. If you do find water damage, ask to see if the issue has been addressed or resolved.