Buying a home is a really big investment at any time. There’s a significant amount of money involved, and you’ll be starting the lengthy process of signing agreements, packing up everything in your current home, and then starting to settle in to your new place at last.
You can imagine how much more stress might be added onto the pile if you’re making a really long journey like moving a few states over too!
No matter where you’re going on just how far away it is, it’s really important that you’re as confident as can be that you’ve made the right decision. And that’s why there are some things you should always check before making the commitment. Here, you’ll find some of our advice on a handful of important things to do before buying a new home.
Check the heating & appliances
Ensuring that the heating works and that all appliances in the house work as they should is crucial. The last thing you want is to seal the deal, only to find out that you’ve got to shell out on repairing or replacing things that either didn’t work at all when you moved in, or were on their last legs the whole time.
It’s also important to verify that the heating in place is efficient too. Even if it works while you’re viewing the house, make sure you ask for information on their heating system, such as how old it is and how frequently it has been serviced.
If it is a particularly inefficient model, this might give you a bargaining chip to take the cost of a new boiler installation off the total cost of the house. You’ll save money straight away, and you might even save money long-term through cost-effective methods like using Super Saver Oil to heat your boiler.
In a similar vein, make sure that all windows and doors close securely. This will help you verify that there isn’t any risk of cold air seeping in during the colder months of the year. If you miss this, you might find that you end up spending more on your heating costs during the winter than you expected, as well spending repairing drafty parts of the home.
Check walls behind furniture and appliances
While this might not be something you would have thought would be useful during a house viewing, you’d be surprised at just what this could save you in the long run.
After all, buying a house, only to find after moving in that there are large patches and damp (or even mold) hidden behind wardrobes and dressers, would mean you have to spend a great deal of money getting the issue fixed.
If it’s particularly bad, such as if severe damp leads to a respiratory infection or allergic reaction in a family member, you might even have to find alternative accommodation while the issue is fixed.
Get a professional assessment
While making sure you closely observe the state of your prospective house can help you spot many potential issues or concerns, it’s still important that you have the advice and guidance of a professional home inspector too.
For example, they could be able to verify that the house is built on strong, stable foundations, or that there are no wiring issues in the house that might lead to outlet issues or an increased risk of power outages. It might just be as simple as having a second pair of eyes look over everything with you, as they might be able to spot something small that you missed, simply because you weren’t sure what to look for.
Doing your due diligence and making sure the house you buy is in good shape will help you buy with confidence, and get settled into your new home as easily as possible.
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