There are quite a few important renovations for homeowners out there, from installing a pool in the back yard to having your roof replaced that need to be done before you sell your home if you hope to make a good and fair price on the sale. However, what about the potential buyer of the home? When it comes to buying a house the term “buyer beware” can be a true one.
As a potential buyer, you need to be careful about everything from the closing costs to the inspection. There are a few things that you should look out for when doing your inspection of what you hope will become your dream home. You can find a few of those things in the article below.
1. HVAC System
The last thing you want to do is purchase your dream home only to wake up on a freezing winter morning to find that the furnace refuses to start. The HVAC system in a house is one of the first things you should check during your inspection. If the furnace refuses to kick on or the AC isn’t blowing cold air and the smart thermostat seems to be off, then you need to make sure the system is fixed from the heating system to the AC before you sign on the dotted line. It’s also important if the furnace is gas to make sure that the pilot light is lit and that it stays lit during your visit.
Once you have moved into the home make sure that you keep a reputable HVAC service on speed dial, so you can take care of your HVAC system the way it should be taken care of. An inspector would also check the ductwork and open the covering on the furnace to ensure everything was in proper order and that it wasn’t filthy, so you can do that as well.
2. Roof
Problems with the roof are responsible for over 40% of insurance claims filed by homeowners. You want the roof on your potential home to be in good shape. Find out how old the roof is and if it’s had any past issues. It’s also a good idea to have a reputable roofing company come in and inspect it for you, just to be on the safe side. If there are any missing shingles, cracks, and holes, then they need to be fixed before you purchase the home.
3. Flooring Quality
The first thing an inspector looks for is insects that could be destroying the wood of the home. You should do an inspection as well when you first see the home. These can be anything from termites to carpenter beetles. Make sure that you check the tile, wall switches, and hardwood floors to see if you find any bug activity.
Ask the current owners if they’ve had new floors installed in the home in the last few years, and why. You can use your feet to detect soft spots in tile, laminate, hardwood floors, and carpet. Take a huge sniff in each room as well, if you smell an odor that is moldy or musty, then that could indicate the presence of rot.
4. Electrical System
Checking out the electrical system is something that many potential homeowners forget to do. You should make a point of opening the house’s main electrical panel to see if any breakers are tripped and check wall switches. It might be best to have a certified electrician with you instead of doing this yourself as electricity is dangerous if you don’t know what to look for.
5. Plumbing
The last thing you want is to crawl into a crawl space or under a house to check the plumbing, so you might want to leave that part to the inspector. However, you can check for leaky faucets and flush the toilets to make sure there are no clogs.
These are just a few of the things to look out for when you’re doing an inspection of your dream home. Remember, the plumbing, electrical system, the furnace, and even the smart thermostat should be on your list. Don’t forget to ask if the current homeowner has done any home renovations and home repairs lately as well. As a potential buyer, you have the right to know.
