A home is one of the biggest purchases that anyone will make in their life. There’s a lot to consider – many choices to make. And the decision for each one can lead to a headache later if you don’t plan accordingly.
Basic new house checklist:
- Check the roof – Leaky roofs can be very costly down the road. You should make sure that you keep those costs in mind.
- Heating and cooling – Older houses can have very old heating and cooling systems. You ought to check both the condition and the effectiveness of both.
- Plumbing – Plumbing is the one of those things that you take for granted, until you don’t have it. Old plumbing can leak. Check for water damage and mold.
- Check the terrain – This is where the future planning comes in. Maybe you want a deck or a pond in the future. Will the houses terrain accommodate those plans?
- How is the neighborhood? – The community is something that comes with the house, complete with the cookouts, cookies and noisy bar next door. Does the neighborhood fit your lifestyle?
- Pay for an inspection – There are some things that you won’t find, no matter how hard you look. Hire an expert who has a better idea of what to look for.
How do you feel about the house itself?
- Natural light – The lighting of the room is often something you don’t think of until you have already moved in. But after you have lived there for a while, it can be a big deal.
- How easy is it to navigate the rooms? – When you plan on going from the living room to the kitchen every day for the next 20 years, you should like the layout.
- Privacy – Does your neighbor have a deck that looks into your bathroom? Make sure you are okay with the privacy that your house provides.
- Sufficient outlets – Normally there is a specific electric code that mandate outlets. But if the house you are looking at was constructed before, there can be a big variation between the rooms
Buying a new home is one of the most personalized experiences you’ll ever have. It’s good to consider important factors carefully, and not just proceed on emotion-based reactions. You can either love or regret the choice that you make for a very long time.
