Looking for a house is fun. The process is filled with ideas for the future, the promise of putting down some roots, and the potential to make a small part of the world truly belong to you.
It can be stressful though. Often, there are small things that real estate agents fail to mention and unforeseen problems which develop later down the line. This is why it’s important to fully vet a real estate agent before working with them. If you’re looking for a home overseas, sites like SG Property For You are wonderful resources, dedicated to transparency in the home-buying experience and can be a real help.
Regardless of where you’re looking for a home, here are a few things to consider when touring properties.
1. Is There Any Damp?
Look upwards at the ceilings and in the corners of rooms for any watermarked wallpaper. Also, keep an eye out for any flaky plaster or the smell of mold. Ask the estate agent about it and check that it is being dealt with before you move into the property, or if it will be your responsibility. Equally, if the room has been recently repainted, ask for the reason why it has been repainted. It could have been an effort to cover up signs of mold within the house.
2. Are There Any Cracks on the Walls?
This can be a telltale sign that the building may not be structurally sound. You need to look at the joints of the house: the edges of the ceiling, where extensions join, and bay windows. Although these are the sort of issues you can ask your surveyor to look at at a later date, it’s useful to notice them earlier in the process.
3. Is Furniture Hiding Any Faults?
This is a sneaky trick by certain homeowners. They can use furniture to disguise discolored bits of carpet, unfortunate stains, and even exposed wires. Some homeowners even place small furniture within their homes to make the rooms look bigger.
Try and envision the room empty. What would it look like with your furniture in it? What furniture are the homeowners leaving behind? Will you have to change the wallpaper and flooring? Don’t be afraid to ask if you can nudge things around a bit, this could be your future home, and you want to make sure it’s perfect.
4. What is the Plumbing Like?
A big part of touring a house is having the courage to be a little nosy. Run the taps to determine whether the water pressure is up to scratch. Ask if the pipes are insulated. Ask how old the boiler is. Do your research on water tanks and pipes. Moving houses is an expensive business, and you do not want to be adding unnecessary expenses to the process.
5. How Many Plug Sockets Are There?
How annoying is it when there aren’t enough power points in a room? In an increasingly digital world, we need easy access to everything electrical. It could be useful to take note of how many there are in the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. Further, check the wiring and fuse board. Rewiring a house is incredibly expensive and like the plumbing, you don’t want to add another thing to the list.
6. How Old is the Roof?
The age of the roof is another factor that can add unexpected problems. Newer roof models can last 15-20 years, so you need to gauge how long it might be before you have to replace it. On the other hand, a well-maintained roof can last thirty years or more. Still, like many of the other things on this list, it’s always worth checking.
Wrap Up
All of these things are dependent on how much care the previous homeowner has taken with the property. Check the dates and how regularly they have maintained all these crucial parts of your potential new home. Happy house hunting!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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