Moving homes can be an exciting time because most people move for a particular reason. Maybe you’re moving out of your parents’ home; maybe you accepted a new job; or perhaps you’re retiring. The problem is a lot of people make a big mistake when moving: they don’t know what to look for when they’re viewing a potential home. If you don’t know what to look for, you might end up purchasing a home that requires a ton of expensive repairs. We’re going to help you avoid this; continue reading to learn what to keep an eye out for when you go to showings.
The Roof, Siding, and Gutters
As soon as you pull up to the home, your eyes should go straight to the roof and work their way down. Roof replacement and repairs are no joke, and they’re definitely not cheap. Roof issues can cost you thousands over time.
Before you go inside the home, you should also look at the siding and gutters. If the siding is clearly worn out and damaged, you’re going to need to re-side the home, which is also an expensive project. Don’t forget about the gutters—although most gutters are durable and last for years, if they’re dented and rusty, you might want to replace those, too.
Electrical Work and Plumbing
Now that you’re finally inside the home, two aspects are more important than anything else: electrical and plumbing. Even if you aren’t an electrician or plumber, you can still keep an eye out for obvious issues. Look for exposed wires, test light switches, and power outlets. As for plumbing, keep an eye out for rusted and leaking pipes. You can also turn on sink and shower faucets to see if the water drains. If the water takes a while to drain, there might be a clog, which will become an issue.
The Basement
Most people don’t inspect the basement enough during showings. If you know how to inspect a basement, you can uncover some major issues and avoid buying a house with major expenses. Two things you should look for in a basement is wall or floor cracks and water stains. Cracks in your foundation or basement walls indicate a lot of water pressure, but they could also be signs your foundation isn’t settling evenly. On the other hand, water stains could be results of foundation cracks or indicate there’s a leaky pipe somewhere.
Nobody wants to buy a home and find a bunch of problems shortly after moving in. If you know what to look for when viewing a potential home, you won’t make the mistake of buying a lemon.
