Whether you want to move or need to move, shopping for a new home can be both exciting and daunting. You love the anticipation of moving into a new space and seeing you and your family grow, but you also know the headache of looking at hundreds of houses and trying to determine which one is the right choice. Regardless of what may be on your must-have list, it’s also necessary for you to look for these six important things when house shopping.
1. Furnace/AC
When it comes to expenses, your home’s furnace and air conditioner will be two of the most expensive items to replace. Whenever you’re looking at a house, be sure to inspect the air conditioning and furnace. If you notice that it needs to be replaced or repaired, you can either ask for a furnace or home AC installation to be covered in your purchase price or for the current owners to repair/replace them before moving out. If you are lucky to find a home with furnace and AC in good working condition, then keep this in mind when it comes to pros and cons.
2. Roof
The home’s roof is another asset that can be extremely expensive to replace, but it also serves as one of the most important aspects of the house. After all, a leaking roof could result in a lot of water damage to the home, which could then result in mold—which all just continues to become more and more expensive to fix. While you may not want to climb up on the roof when looking at the home, be sure to do a check of it by standing far away from the house and looking it over. You can also hire a home inspector to get on the roof for you and give you their opinions. Should you find the home needs a new roof, again consider adding this into your purchase price or asking for it to be replaced.
3. Kitchens and Baths
Kitchens and baths are the most expensive rooms in a home to renovate, so if you are looking at homes with dated kitchens and baths, know that this cost will need to come from somewhere in order to make it what you want. If you’re not ready for that type of kitchen renovation expense or DIY project, then it may be a better idea to opt for a house that already has updated kitchens and baths and are still priced affordably.
4. Foundations
The foundation of your home is the rock that keeps it in place, so you want to be sure there’s nothing wrong with it. Take a trip into the basement or crawl space, or do some walking around the exterior of the house. Should you notice any leaks in these areas or any major cracks, be sure to bring it up with the homeowners if this is a home you’re considering.
5. Taxes
When shopping for a house, most homeowners pay more attention to the physical aspects of the home instead of the other elements associated with a new house. Aside from just the purchase price, you also need to pay attention to the home’s property taxes. Whether you pay these outright every year or have them build into your escrow account, it’s still something that needs to be paid. In addition, you can count on these just going up every year, which means you need to be sure you can afford them before putting an offer in on a house.
6. Community
Being a part of a community is great, but you need to look at the longevity of the neighborhoods you’re considering. For instance, opting for an up and coming neighborhood can reap benefits because it means more business in the area, which could result in lower taxes. In addition, a community that’s already established means you can rely on the stability of the neighborhood. However, sometimes neighborhoods can go downhill, and if you notice there’s been a climb in crime in the area, it could put you at risk of seeing the home values decline. Obviously, you want to be sure you’re making a smart investment, so drive around and check out the neighborhood before making a final decision.
When you pay close attention to these things when house shopping, you can find yourself purchasing a home that doesn’t come with an unexpected financial surprise.
