What You Should Look For Before Buying a Property You Love

When you’re browsing homes, it’s really easy to fall in love. That’s especially true when you’re buying your first home. But rather than falling head over heels in love with a home, you should try to look at it a little more critically and think about the things that really matter. Those are the things you won’t want to overlook because you’ll regret it later if you do.

Of course, you must find a property that you love, but you want that love to last! Below we’re going to talk about the problems and issues you should be looking out for when browsing homes. These are all things that can impact the quality, suitability and long-term value of your home. Keep reading to learn more.

Potential Structural Problems

One of the most important things to consider when buying a property is potential structural problems. The last thing you want is to find a structural issue in a few years' time because these can be very expensive to fix and they have the potential to completely destroy the market value of your home, which is obviously not what you want from an investment as big as this. Always have a proper structural survey carried out before you finalize any property purchase. It’s something that can’t be ignored.

Signs of Damp and Mold

You can easily look for signs of dampness and mould in the home when you look around it. The owners of the home should be more than happy to have viewers look for things like this, so keep an eye out. It’s important to go beyond the pleasant surface impressions and look at what’s really happening. Damp and mould can be hugely damaging, and as well as seeing signs of it, you’ll also be able to smell dampness if it’s present in the home. If you notice any of these signs, don’t ignore them - instead, ask for an assessment undertaken by a company specializing in mold inspection in Birmingham, AL (or wherever is local to you) to determine the extent of the problem and suggest what should be done next. 

Electrical Issues

Electrical problems in your home can not only be frustrating, but also very dangerous and that’s obviously not what you want. Any underlying electrical problems should be found early on and they should be fixed as a precondition of you signing an agreement to buy the property. Never agree to buy a home that you know has electrical faults that haven’t been fixed. It’s the kind of thing you’ll live to regret, so don’t let that happen. For your family’s safety, get those problems fixed.

The Plumbing

Just as important as the property’s electrics is the plumbing. Plumbing problems can be highly frustrating to deal with and you might not notice them until you move into the home if you’re not careful. Be sure to check the plumbing and ask questions about the history of the plumbing system. That way, you can understand what work has been done in the past and what kinds of problems might occur again in the future. You’ll want these problems to be out of the way before you decide on buying a place. Obviously, as time goes on with a home you might need plumbing services for small things that happen or disasters that suddenly occur, but if you are initially vigilant you can keep these problems to a minimum.

Check for Pests and Infestation Problems

The last thing you want to find after you move into your new home is an infestation of pests. There are options like termite treatment and other pest control services out there to make the most of. But it’s always best to be aware of such problems before signing on the dotted line. That way, it can all be sorted for you before you agree to the deal and before you move into the property with your family. You can always get an expert to carry out the check on your behalf. https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/exterminator/arizona/ is worth checking out if you're searching for an expert!

Check the Roof and Attic

Part of checking for pests in the home is checking the attic space. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t birds nesting up there or that there are gaps in the structure of the roof where birds might be able to get in in the future. You should also look for other obvious problems in the roof area, such as missing shingles and other such issues that can be highly problematic. Have these properly checked before going ahead with a home purchase; roofs can be costly to fix.

Good Ventilation Systems

You should also take a closer look at the ventilation systems present in the home. If the home is not properly ventilated, it’ll cause all kinds of problems, including potential damp problems that might develop in the future. If the ventilation systems haven’t been properly maintained, having them properly checked ahead of making a purchase is something that definitely makes sense. You’ll never know what condition the ventilation is in until you have a closer look. You can find a professional who can do that for you.

The Right Drainage Setup

You should make sure that water is able to drain away from the home in the correct way. This is key because if water is not draining correctly, it’ll result in water starting to puddle around the home and this can be disastrous. 

If this occurs over a prolonged period of time, it can start to cause damage to the home’s foundations and the entire structure. It can also lead to damp problems on the exterior facing walls. These problems can be a real nightmare, and you will need foundation repair experts if you find yourself faced with needing sinking foundation repair. They will know how to quickly and permanently repair your house foundation for you.

Signs of Leaks in the Bathroom

Finally, you should look for any signs that might tell you that there have been leaks in the home’s bathroom. If you can see signs of water damage near the pipes, that’s a telltale sign right away. If you notice water dripping as you look around the property, be sure to ask the owners about that and what might be causing it.

When you fall in love with a property, you need to be careful not to be blinded by the things you love. Try to look at the home dispassionately and be objective about the good and bad things it has to offer. If you can do that, you’ll end up buying a property that’ll meet your needs and hopefully become your home for a long time to come.