What To Look For When Buying A New Home

When you go to view a property, you don’t have a lot of time. You might get 20 minutes, maybe not even that long, to make a decision as to whether you like it or not. If you do like the property then a second viewing is essential; just seeing a home once for a few minutes and then deciding to live in it isn’t a sensible decision.

When you go back for the second time, you need to have a list of things to look out for so that you can make the most of the limited time you have in the property.

Damp

Damp can be a serious problem, especially if the house in question has been empty for a long time. There are some definite signs to look out for including a musty, moldy smell, plaster flaking from the walls and ceilings, peeling wallpaper, and watermarks. Check particularly closely around skirting boards and where the ceiling meets the walls as what you think is mold could just be shadows; and vice versa. If the room has just been repainted, that could be because damp is being covered up, so this should be thoroughly checked out.

Structure

When you look for any home, you can easily be swayed by great looking photos. Then, when you arrive at the viewing, you can be so excited by the fact that the property is exactly where you want to live that you might overlook certain aspects of it.

Something that you should really pay attention to, however, no matter how much you are in love with the house, is whether the building is structurally sound. See if there are any large cracks in the walls – hairline cracks are not a problem, but big, deep ones are and could certainly be a structural problem. Special places to look at include where any extensions meet the original building, outside walls, and large bay windows.

Is There Enough Storage?

Everyone needs some form of storage, but it is something that can easily be overlooked when you are viewing a property. You may have spotted the wardrobes and cupboards, but are they big enough? Is there enough of them? Storage space can be a premium in smaller houses or new ones, and if you move in and then discover that there is nowhere to put your clothes or other items, then you could regret your choice of home. No one wants to live in a mess with boxes all around them because there is nowhere to put anything.

Doing Research Beforehand

Doing your research before you visit can really help you find the perfect property. Looking online is a good place to start to get a good idea of the kind of house you may be interested. Researching homes for sale in Golden Eagle Tallahassee, for example, can be a good starting point. A house viewing takes time and making sure you know what you are going into to can ensure you have an ideal sense of what you want before you have even seen the house. 

Where Does The House Face?

If you have a south-facing yard then it can be a beautiful space in the summer – it’s where the sun is going to be for most of the time so you can be outside and not feel a chill or be in shadows. If the garden is north facing, it can be dark for a lot of the time, and you won’t see so much or be able to enjoy too much sunshine either. Ask when you’re on a viewing so that you can be sure. It might not make a difference to you, but if it does, it’s important to know.