5 Things to Look For When Viewing a Property

Buying or renting a home is a critical investment. You need to ensure that the property you are spending your money on meets your standards and is in perfect condition to prevent buyer’s remorse and costly renovations in the future. To help you avoid common home-buying mistakes, here are critical things to look for during a house viewing visit.

1. The Neighborhood

You need to ensure that the house you are buying or renting is in an area that is safe and convenient for you. When going for house viewing, check the neighborhood for amenities, the surrounding environment, and even the local culture. Take note of the distance between the property and facilities like schools if you have school-going kids.

Also, consider how far the shopping centers and entertainment joints, and transport. You should also research the neighborhood’s security and establish how the neighbors are. While the house may appeal to you, it may be located in an area with rampant break-ins, loud traffic, or far from essential amenities, causing an inconvenience to your lifestyle. You may also be interested in selling your home in this article.

2. Assess the Roof

While the roof is one of the most crucial parts of a house, most people tend to ignore it during house viewing, leading to costly roofing problems in the future. Assess the roof for any signs of cracked, missing, or moss-covered shingles as they may require repairs after you buy the houses. You should also check for signs of leaks by looking for water stains on the ceiling.

Lastly, ask for the age of the roof and whether it has undergone re-roofing. Note that most building regulations only allow for two layers of re-roofing, after which you have to replace the entire roof. Also, older homes may contain asbestos in their roofing, a carcinogenic that is harmful when inhaled.

3. The Condition of the Basement

The basement can help you figure out the state of the house you are about to buy so you can make informed choices. During your house viewing, inspect the basement for any signs of water or moisture. If your house viewing the property during a rainy season and the basement is dry, you have nothing to worry about. However, signs of moisture in the basement may indicate poor foundation grading. Besides moisture problems, also look out for significant cracks as they may point to structural flaws.

4. Size and Shape of the Rooms

As you check out a house, pay attention to the size and shape of the rooms and living spaces. Ensure that the various rooms can accommodate your items without being too small or too big! If you are unsure whether items like furniture can fit into the spaces, go for house viewing with a tape measure and your item’s dimensions.

Also, it is advisable to judge every room individually and avoid making blanket assumptions based on a few rooms. Also, check the shape of the rooms as they determine the layout and appearance of your spaces. Note that awkwardly shaped rooms may be hard to decorate.

5. Utilities

Before buying or renting a home, you need to know how much it will cost you to live in it. Ask for the property’s utility bills, including electricity, water, gas, and broadband charges. Doing so gives you an estimate of how much you can expect to pay when you finally move in so you can plan your finances.

It also prevents you from getting a house that you will be struggling financially to maintain. Besides utility costs, also look for functionality by checking the water pressure in the taps and toilets. Also, take note of the lighting around the house. If this is the case take a look at some of these business loans to get help financing.

House viewing allows you to assess your potential home before acquiring it. With the above tips, you can make better decisions when getting home and avoid problems that will cost you money and comfort.