If you are currently looking for a new home, indulge us for a minute and let’s do a quick exercise. Imagine yourself buying your dream house, moving in and getting settled. On your first night in your new home, your happiness and excitement is ruined by the discovery that the neighborhood is incredibly noisy, that your street experiences heavy traffic during the evening rush hour, and that the water pressure in your new bathroom is so completely unreliable you can’t even enjoy a relaxing shower after a long day. Sounds like a perfect nightmare, doesn’t it? That’s why it’s so important to be on the lookout for any potential problems before you close the deal on a new home. Here are a few things you should keep an eye out for when looking at houses:
1. Test EVERYTHING. One of the first things you should do when viewing a home with potential is to make sure that everything works. This means making sure that:
a) All windows and doors open and close smoothly and without sticking. Check for broken doorknobs and loose window latches.
b) All light switches are in good working order and that lights don’t flicker or buzz.
c) All electrical sockets are working and are compatible with your gadgets and appliances.
d) There are enough drawers and cabinets for all your things, that they are placed strategically at practical points, and that they all open and close without sticking.
e) All faucets and showers have good water pressure. Check for pipes that rattle or bang.
and
f) The heating and cooling units are in order and not noisy.
You might feel awkward turning on every faucet and opening every drawer in front of the showing agent or current home owner, but being extra careful about the little details can save you a world of inconvenience later on.
2. Talk to the neighbors. Introduce yourself and engage them in some friendly banter, asking them how much traffic usually goes past, if the neighborhood is noisy or quiet, and if they feel safe and secure. If you end up purchasing the home, at least you will already have gotten acquainted with your future neighbors.
3. Try visiting the home at different times during the day. Neighborhood conditions can be drastically different in the morning and in the evening. The area might seem quiet right after lunch while most people are at work or in school, but that might not be the case later on at night, especially if the home you’re looking at is located to a lot of shopping, dining and entertainment establishments.
If you are planning to buy a home, let The Incorvaia Team make the process as easy as possible for you. Call us at 440-879-7130 today!
