Viewing homes is fun and exciting, but if you’re not sure what to look for, you might be left feeling overwhelmed, or indecisive. Having a checklist of what to look for will help you eliminate homes that aren’t right for you, and guide you to the best home for you and your family. Here are my recommendations on what you should look for when viewing potential homes.
The House Itself
The most obvious aspect to examine is the house, and all its nooks and crannies. Sure, you love the kitchen island, but have you considered whether or not your sectional will fit in the living room? Check room shapes and sizes, and try to envision all of your possessions in them.
On a more technical level, look for red flags like hasty construction work, DIY plumbing, and haphazard wiring, as these types of things will certainly give you problems in the future. Other things to look at are the windows, basement area if there is one, attic and roof, and the foundation. Sometimes obvious damage is apparent, but many times it isn’t, so I always recommend you hire a licensed home inspector when you get serious about buying a home.
Curious to know about what home inspectors look for? Read our guest post from Red Star Home Inspections here.
The Property
Outside the home, there are a lot of things to be on the lookout for. While you’re imagining where the lawn furniture will go and how to position the firepit, look at the grounds with a keener eye. Check for slopes or dips in the yard that might be prone to pooling during heavy rains, and any nearby water features like creeks or ponds that could flood. Also, look at any trees on the property for signs of sickness or disease. In front of the house, examine the driveway by looking for any cracks or damage.
The Neighborhood
Stepping outside of the property, it’s a good idea to take a look at the neighborhood and the amenities in and around it. What you look for depends on your needs, so make a checklist of the things you’d like to have close by, like schools, a community pool, parks and playgrounds, or restaurants.
Another thing to consider is the presence of a HomeOwners Association. HOAs can be helpful, but some can give you a major headache if you want to make any modifications to your property that they don’t approve of. Ask the real estate agent about this topic, and have a look at their bylaws for any conflicts that could arise in the future.
Accessibility and Traffic
The first thing you’ll notice when going to view homes is how easy or difficult it is to get there. Outside of commute time, take note of how far away the home is from major highways you’ll need to use, the condition of the roads leading to the neighborhood, and if possible, what the traffic around the area looks like during rush hours.
Future Projects and Renovations
An exciting part of viewing homes is imagining all the potential things you could do to make it your own. Maybe you’d like to install a patio, or build a pool. Look at the size of the property, and whether or not you can make your dreams come true with the space you have. If the property is lacking what you need, you’ll have to consider how badly you want these changes, and what you’re willing to compromise on. Also make sure to check how difficult it is to obtain a building permit in the area, so you won’t be left disappointed if you can’t get the go ahead to conduct projects.
To get some ideas on what you can do with your potential new backyard, read my post on how to improve your outdoor space.Are you looking for a new home? I’m here to help! I’m licensed to sell homes in DC, MD, VA, and WV. Contact me at si**@******gh.com for more information about available properties, or take a look at a few of the communities I work in.
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