Questions To Ask When
Buying A House
The 7 Most Common Problems To Look Out For
If you’re looking to buy a home, these are the most common problems to look out for:
Do the handrails look safe?
This may seem minor, but functional handrails are necessary on staircases and along balconies for safety. Test all of the handrails in a home, and ensure that all appropriate areas have handrails before buying.
One of the common trouble spots is on decks. This becomes especially important when the deck is elevated off of the ground where someone could get seriously hurt if falling from a greater height.
Are there any electrical safety concerns?
Older homes may not have electrical systems up to current codes. Things like ground fault breaker outlets in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as grounded outlets throughout the house are necessary for a safe living environment, especially when you consider the current electrical load people put on their homes with new appliances and electronics. In older homes look out for knob tube wiring. You can find any good electrician from word of mouth, local newspaper or just look online. Just make sure they have great reviews!
Is the house built with good insulation materials?
Modern insulation is excellent at keeping the temperature in your home comfortable. However, some home builders, (especially in older homes,) did not always insulate adequately. If you view a home in summer, you may be surprised come winter when the house will just not hold heat. Have someone who knows verify that the home has good insulation before you buy.
Are home cooling heating systems in a good state?
Temperature control systems wear out over time, and they can be expensive to replace. Check on the age, integrity and maintenance schedule of any home cooling heating systems present in the home. Newer models are notably more efficient, making them a much better deal in the long run.
Any noticeable leaking roof problems?
The roof is one of the most important components of the home. A damaged or poorly maintained roof can lead to leaking roof problems, including the additional water damage it causes. Major roof repairs can be expensive and should be factored into the price of the home if they exist. The roof is an area that most buyers will not compromise on. Keep in mind however that when you have a home inspection and your inspector tells you that there are only a few years of expected life in the roof, you shouldn’t expect the seller to replace it.
How’s about plumbing and drain cleaning?
Plumbing may be hidden from sight in homes, but it is a large part of what makes the modern home livable and comfortable. Older homes with older pipes can present problems, though. Make sure your potential home has plumbing that works, and no serious plumbing issues right around the corner. Things like tree root growth can quickly stop up your plumbing and may be a problem with older pipes.
How old are the home drainage systems?
Water damage is a risk in areas with poor home drainage systems. Verify that each home you consider has adequate drainage to deal with area rainfall. Because water damage can lead to expensive repair work and mold infestation, you need to ensure that drainage is sufficient on any property you purchase.
Thanks a lot for reading
I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for your time and support during my first year of blogging. Without you all I probably wouldn’t be writing but knitting right now. Thanks for keeping me going!
Klaudia
across the web
Great advice…mostly, it makes me thankful that I’m NOT looking for a new house! 🙂 It’s exciting, and fun in a lot of ways…but stress stress stress, too!