Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Life should come with a check list "book"...
...and one of the pages should be "Top Ten Things to Check When Buying a House". We have zero regrets about buying our home, but we sure wish we had a better idea what to look out for. In the state of New York, there are some mandatory items that would go on this aid check list, like having an exterminator check for termite damage, and seeing if the old school oil barrels have been removed from under the house properly. We put together a basic list to help you out:
1. Flush every toilet. Check every switched. Turn on every faucet. Run the dishwasher, washer and dryer, and every appliance that comes with the home. Don't forget to test the air conditioner and heating system. Do this every time you visit before you close on the house. Don't feel shy about this. The owners will most likely not want to point out the flaws of their home, and you should have a heads up before you turn on the dishwasher for the first time and flood you kitchen- like we did!
2. Make sure to really look at your contract. See if the owners will be taking anything unexpected out of the house, like fans for instance. This happened to us too.
3. Drive around the neighborhood. A lot. See what kind of people live there. Are they young families? Are there people jogging or walking their dogs? Do you feel like you relate to your future neighbors? See if a gas station, grocery store, 24 hour pharmacy, and perhaps public transportation are close by. We created a whole binder of restaurants and stores before we moved.
4. Document all the flaws. We walked around the house with a camera specifically taking photos of all the cracks, chipped paint, broken windows, and wear and tear. This will help you budget for repairs before you even move in. You think you will remember everything, but you most likely won't.
5. Get a list of all the homes recently sold in your neighborhood, and what they were purchased for. Your realtor can get you this list of comparables. We have heard time and time again, You don't want to buy the most expensive house on the block. It makes sense for if and when you want to sell.
6. Hire professionals to check for toxic mold, lead paint (any house built from 1980 or older), radon gas, and asbestos. Even if it's not a requirement, we highly suggest being safe rather than sorry. It may cost you a few $100 up front, but can you really put a price on your health?
7. Check the doors and windows. Do you feel a breeze coming in your new home? This can be a big problem in the winter. Our heating bill ran us over $1,000 last winter because we were not properly insulated. Old homes seem to have this problem more than new ones. We suggest rectifying this asap, as it can cost you when the seasons change.
8. Hate that unruly bush at the edge of your back yard? Is it yours or your new neighbors? Make sure you know exactly where your lot line is before planning out your yard.
9. Having someone check your roof and chimney is another up-front expense that may save you at the end of the day. Small problems can lead to much larger ones, and you would want to know this up front. Leaks which lead to water damage can cost you thousands, and your sanity.
10. Everything is negotiable. Don't be scared to ask! If you find problems with the home you want to buy - make it a condition in the contract. For example you can request to have the home insulated, the roof fixed, and an exterminator for your first six months.
These are just our suggestions. This list could potentially be 2,000 bullet points long. The number one thing is finding a realtor you like and trust. Once you have found him/her they are a wealth of knowledge! Good luck in your hunt!
Reader Comments (8)
Well Stated Lana....I'm very impressed. Chrissy
I think you mean August 30th though...
Great list and I agree with all of them. Luckily we found a good home inspector who checked pretty much everything, except of course things like driving around the neighborhood… etc. Luckily our neighborhood is very quiet and a mix of old and younger couples. Our inspector only found a few issues which the seller fixed without a problem.
I just want to add to your number 9 tip. For those people living in the South, definitely have your roof checked [Wind Mitigation Inspection]. It costs about $250.00 but well worth it. Basically the Inspector checks for Hurricane clips and other types of re-enforcements when it comes you’re your roof and potential hurricanes. It’s not a mandatory inspection however your homeowners insurance will give you discounts for these types of items. In the end we ended up saving $850.00 off our insurance premium!
Awesome post! My husband and I are in the beginning stages of house hunting, and some of these tips I've never heard before. Thanks a bunch!
This is a really great post. There is SO much I wish we had checked when we bought our first house 5 1/2 years ago, like the neighbors (now thankfully gone) that would drink from 3 PM to 3 AM and have domestic disturbances. And we didn't have a dishwasher that flooded our kitchen; it just plain didn't work! Live and learn, right? I told my husband I'm going to be a HUGE pain when we buy our next house. :)
@ Kasey Thanks so much! Good tip about the South!
@Ashley Thanks! We are learning nuggets along the way! Always happy to share!
@Meghan I know! Joey and I will surely put together a formal check list for when we buy a vacation home. Not making the same mistakes twice!