When you’re looking to buy a home or property, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the aesthetics of the place. Often, that’s what the sellers are banking on– it’s why people spend so much time and effort staging homes or paying for top-shelf real estate photography.
Although it is important to find a home that looks the way you want it to, you’re far more likely to feel secure about your decision if you have a solid checklist in mind ahead of time (before you even see the place!) of what to look for or ask about.
Arriving prepared means that you won’t get carried away by authentic midcentury built-in bookshelves, or the perfect breakfast nook, while overlooking serious electrical or plumbing issues!
We’ve compiled a list of things to look for– or look out for– while you’re searching for your dream home.
Wherever you go, there you are
Theoretically, you can change just about anything you don’t like about your home. You can add onto it, change the paint colors, add new fixtures, etc. The only thing you truly can’t change: its location.
Prior to making the commitment to purchasing a home, you should do as much research as you can about the area. What’s the commute like between the home and your work? What about your home and your friends’ and family’s homes? Do you live close enough to a major highway to easily get where you’re going?
Is there a nearby grocery store? If you have kids, how are the schools and childcare options nearby?
You should also pay attention to what’s located nearby. For example, if you visit a home at a certain time of day, you might miss the fact that there are train tracks located just a few hundred feet from the home– and if you purchase the house based on that visit alone, those train whistles and noises will surely have you fuming late at night.
“Nice to have” versus “need to have”
If you’re purchasing a home with a spouse or partner, it’s imperative that you get on the same page about exactly what you’re looking for. Make a list of things you absolutely need the house to have, or things that the house absolutely cannot have, and compare lists.
For example: is there enough storage space? Are there enough bedrooms for home offices plus children’s bedrooms (or enough to expand your family in the future, if you choose to?)
You can potentially live without a brick fireplace, but you don’t want to buy a place that doesn’t have central air conditioning if you live in a hot climate. That’s why it’s important to prioritize what’s nice to have versus what’s necessary to have!
If you’re purchasing a home with a spouse or partner, it’s imperative that you get on the same page about exactly what you’re looking for. Make a list of things you absolutely need the house to have, or things that the house absolutely cannot have, and compare lists.
For example: is there enough storage space? Are there enough bedrooms for home offices plus children’s bedrooms (or enough to expand your family in the future, if you choose to?)
The nitty-gritty
A recently-flipped house can be shiny and new with on-trend decor, but if it’s an older home, it still might run the risk of serious plumbing or electrical problems.
Keep a close eye out for water damage around toilets and tubs– look at the tiles around bathroom fixtures and take notice of either water stains or recently-replaced tilework. Ceilings can be a good indication of potential plumbing problems, too, so don’t disregard any stains you might notice.
You should also test out the faucets and toilets to make sure things are running the way they should.
You probably won’t be able to tell during a quick tour whether there are any electrical problems– but definitely don’t forego a professional inspection before you agree to purchase the home. Old wiring issues can be truly disastrous!
Work with a professional
If you’d like to find the perfect home but aren’t sure where to start, give the experts at Edge Realty a call or send us a message. We’ll help you choose the perfect starter home, investment property, or anything in between.