7 IMPORTANT THINGS to Remember to Look at When Viewing a Home:
When you go home shopping, you will likely see homes with their best foot forward; beautifully decorated, cleaned and staged just for your viewing pleasure. However, there are some important things that you must not forget to look at when viewing a home:
Plumbing
There’s nothing worse than poor drainage or low water pressure. If you are interested in a home, be sure to turn the faucets on and off and flush toilets. Look for leaking or slow drains and low water pressure.
Electrical Service
The main thing you need to look for with electrical service is to make sure that it is up to code. If the home is old you need to determine what type of service it has. Most homes require at least a 100 amp circuit breaker box. If the electrical is not up to par you could have trouble securing insurance. Having a home inspection will uncover potential issues.
Furnace/HVAC System/Heat Pump
Most likely when you look at the home, the temperature will be comfortable. You should inquire about the age of the HVAC or Furnace Unit. Most have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years depending on the type, usage, and maintenance. You also want to make sure that it has been properly maintained, so don’t hesitate to ask for service and repair records.
Windows
The windows in the home you’re looking at are most likely going to be clean, but you want to make sure that they function properly. Open and close a few windows and make sure that there are no drafts coming in. Proper insulation around the windows will create lower electricity bills.
Water Heater
The life of a typical water heater can last 10 to 12 years depending on usage and maintenance. While water heaters are not too costly to replace they can cause issues should they break. Determine the age of the water heater and factor this into monthly maintenance, repair costs or budgeting.
Attic Space
Depending on the home you are looking at it will most likely have an attic. You need to make sure there are no signs of leaks anywhere in the attic or the roofline. Identifying cracks or seeing sunlight throughout the attic could indicate problem areas. Look for yellowish spots or discoloration on the ceiling that could indicate a leaky roof.
Roof
A roof that needs to be replaced or is damaged can cost thousands of dollars. A typical asphalt roof can last about 15 years depending on how well it is taken care of. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years and then some. You should inquire about the age of the roof or if there has ever been any repairs. Also, take a visual check of any raised, curled or missing shingles. If there are damp spots or discoloration in an upper floor ceiling or even in the attic this could indicate that the roof has issues.
When viewing a home it may be hard to look past all the bells and whistles and the smell of fresh baked cookies however you don’t want to forget the important things required to run a home daily. Remember to check these 7 important features of the home when you are house shopping. It could mean the difference between thousands of dollars and long-term issues. Home inspections are critical and will help identify potential costly repairs. For all your home buying and investment needs call the experts at Tampa Bay Realty and Investment Group.
