There’s enough to worry about when you’re buying a home.
From the research to the financing, you will be well occupied on your road toward homeownership.
As one of the largest investments you’ll make, you do your best to take all the appropriate steps to be successful.
Before doing the walkthroughs of your dream home, here’s a to-do list to keep handy. With so much going on, these tips will be the guidance you need so you can be happy with your decisions.
Inspect repairs
As part of the negotiations and seller promises, you might be expecting to see some completed repairs during final walkthroughs. As you look around, make sure to verify that the final repairs have been made.
In addition, ask for receipts and warranties. It’s important all paperwork is available for your review, especially if you need to follow up for any reason.
Check for signs of pests
Addressing infestation or other pest-related situations can be costly. And if you’re in the process of buying a home, it shouldn’t be just on you to fix.
Also look out for dry rot, spongy floors, crumbling wood areas and droppings as part of your inspection.
Once all the information is gathered, draw up a plan so you can move into the home with all the peace of mind in the world.
Examine bathroom
Take some extra care and time to inspect the home’s bathrooms. In particular, you should be on the lookout for mold and leaks.
You can also turn on the water and make sure everything is in working order, including how quickly hot water emerges. This is also an opportunity to test out the toilets and any other water features.
Tour the grounds
Step outside the home and take a good look. It’s important to survey the landscaping and check if anything looks unusual. Also make sure that the irrigation system is turning on without a hitch.
Keep tabs on what plants are out in the yards too. Owners could dig out plants without letting you know, which could be a no-no and unfair to the incoming homeowner.
Look for mold in kitchen
Just as you did in the bathrooms, the kitchen is another area to look at closely, especially for mold. Anytime a room has a water source, there’s a chance of mold or leaks.
Look behind the dishwasher, underneath the sink and other spots where water is leading to. If you spot a wet area or faulty faucet, that’s a red flag that requires action sooner rather than later.
Test the electrical
Of course, you want to make sure the lights turn on throughout the home. Beyond that, also check that the outlets are free from damage. You can test each one by plugging in your phone.
For high-voltage outlets, such as ones typically used for a dryer, you might need professional help to ensure they’re working.
If you find any malfunction, there’s a possibility that a bigger issue is the root cause. Sort any of this out before moving forward, as electrical repairs can be expensive.
Heating and cooling system
Test out that the heat and cooling systems are reaching desired temperatures with efficiency.
Like other items on your list, this type of testing or inspection can be handled during a formal inspection, but do your best to check yourself first. Identifying issues with the home early will come to your aid as you progress through the homebuying process.
All information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is expressed or implied. Any opinions expressed within blogs, videos, podcasts, interviews, presentations, or other online content are solely the opinions of the individual/author and do not represent the opinions or policy of Premier Mortgage Resources, LLC.
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