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Would you spend just 20 minutes inspecting a property to buy – virtually or in person – that will become your home for many years? Some home buyers do – and regret it.
Buying a home is likely to be your biggest financial decision yet, so it’s important to know what to look for when you’re viewing a home. Knowing what to look for during a home inspection will mean that you are more likely to find the property that best suits your needs from the start.
What to look for during a home inspection: Is there damp?
Keep an eye out for signs of moisture. The main signs of dampness are the smell of mold, peeling plaster, and watermarks on the walls or ceiling. It sounds obvious, but when it comes to what to look for when you’re inspecting a home, make sure you look closely at the ceiling and around baseboards. Another clue might be that the room has just been repainted – perhaps to seal out moisture.
Is the building sound?
Large cracks are something to look out for when buying a home, but you should expect some small cracks. Especially look around where extensions join, walls at the end of a terrace, and bay windows that may start to fall or deviate from the rest of the house.
How much storage space is there?
When it comes to what to look for when buying a house, you need to think about the practicality of living in it. Storage space is a valuable but often overlooked asset when you’re looking at potential homes to buy. So add this to your list of things to look for when viewing a home.
Which way is the house facing?
In the winter, on a cloudy day or at night, it can be hard to tell the difference between a north and south facing home or garden, but in the summer it can make the difference between a home that is filled with light and warmth and one that is disappointingly dark. And this is important to check when it comes to what to look for when buying a home.
Is there enough room for your needs?
We’ve heard of new home builders who put smaller furniture in rooms to make them seem bigger. We warn you! So, when it comes to what to look for when you’re inspecting a home, assuming you won’t be buying all new furniture as soon as you move in, ask yourself, will your existing furniture fit?
Is the paint on the window frames cracked? Is the double-glazed window intact?
One of the things you should pay attention to when you buy a house is the condition of the exterior window frames. It’s a great indicator of the condition of the house – if people have invested in them and taken care of them, they’ve probably taken good care of the rest.
How old is the roof?
Replacing a roof is expensive, and new roofs only last 15-20 years, depending on the materials. Therefore, it is very important to take this into account when it comes to what to look for when inspecting a home.
