Are you looking for your perfect home?
Things to look out for when looking for your perfect home can seem like a never ending list. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Buying a new home is such an exciting life event, it’s a fresh start and a blank canvas for your interior design dreams! It is also a decision that needs careful consideration and planning before diving right in!
Whether it is your first time buying or if you’re a seasoned buyer at this point in your life, there are many things to consider when looking for a new home and questions that need to be asked. It is always good to refresh your mind on what to look out for and what questions should be asked, as it can be easy to forget certain things in all the excitement.
The first question to ask yourself is, do you want to fully relocate or are you looking for something more local? This will help you narrow your searches and enable you to be more specific with what you are looking for!
If you are planning on relocating, is it a commutable distance from where you work? Or if you have kids, is it near to their school or will they need to move schools? Also, does the new area have everything you would want/need? Each of these questions are important to ask yourself so you can go with your best foot forward!
The following list are things you should either ask a realtor/the owner of the house you’re looking at, and also things to look out for when you are viewing houses.
- Why is the house on the market?
Asking why the homeowner has put their house on the market is a good way to find out if the house has any issues. If there have been many owners over a relatively short period of time, this could be a red flag.
- Are there any signs of damp/mold/cracks/sagging floors?
Structural and internal issues may be difficult to pinpoint on a first viewing, so we would advise you book at least 2, if not more. This way you can really explore the house, look behind any large frames/mirrors, check the leveling of the floor. Also look out for damp and mold or any fresh paint that has been applied, which could be hiding all kinds of bad!
- What are the neighbors like?
While you may not see neighbors often, it is still important to ask about them and see what they are like. Especially if you have pets and/or children, are the neighbors loud and hosting parties all the time? Are they respectful of your property? Don’t wait to find out.
- Which way does the house face?
If you love being outdoors in the garden and know that you would like the sun all day, then you would need to make sure the garden faces the direction that will bring you the most sun, which is usually south-facing.
- Is the size right? Too big/small?
Knowing what size house you would like is important, so that you can minimize the need to move again in the future (if you do not want to move again). If you have kids or want to start a family/want more kids, choose the right amount of rooms. If you have pets, is the yard space a good size for them and is it secure? These seem like standard things but can often be overlooked!
- How old is the roof? Is the house energy efficient?
A good roof can last between 20-30 years if it has been done properly, so it is worth asking how old the roof is and be sure to look for any leaks. Houses with a good, insulated roof and double glazed windows will be far more energy efficient than those without. This will end up saving you more money in the long run.
We hope this has been helpful in pointing out things to look out for when looking for your perfect home.