There is nothing as exciting as the search for a new home. While you may be busy picking out paint colors and rearranging furniture in your mind when you tour a home for sale, the home tour and inspection are when you can really look closely at any home you want to buy. Aspects of the home that cannot be easily or inexpensively changed are the most important to consider before purchase:
Location, location, location
Take a careful look at the neighborhood, nearby schools, and how far it is from work or any places you visit often. Is there a lot of traffic noise? Are there families with children or pets in the neighborhood? These are things that will affect your life greatly if you move into a home. Too many prospective homebuyers focus only on the home, only to realize later that the neighborhood itself isn’t a good fit.
The size of the home
The size of a home is another feature that is very difficult to change. You may be able to add on a small room or deck, but the basic footprint of your house will likely stay the same. Is it large enough for your family and future? Is it too big to maintain or keep warm in the winter? If you aren’t sure what size house you really need, visit lots of open houses and check out this article from the folks at Get Rich Slowly: “How Much House Do You Need?”
The condition of plumbing, HVAC, and major appliances
Some of the most expensive repairs come from hidden systems in the home. It may not be obvious that the air conditioner is on its last leg if you tour the home on a cool day, but if the unit fails after you move in, you will be stuck with the cost of repairs. It is always recommended to have an expert look at major components of a home before purchase.Give experts a call for air conditioner repair in Oshawa or to have them evaluate the HVAC of your future home.
The age of the roof
How old is the home’s roof? Did the previous owner take care of it with general maintenance and proper rain gutters? You will want to know the answer to this question before purchasing any home. A traditional shingle roof should last at least 15 years (with a lifespan of up to 30 years with proper care in certain climates), while metal roofs can last 50 years or longer.
Windows, aspect, and lighting
Although it is possible to add or remove windows, it is an expensive process to do so. Pay attention to the light and orientation of the home during your walk-through. A window with southern exposure will generate more heat than windows facing north, for example. Do you need to know what to look for? An extensive article on the effect of home aspect (the direction a home faces) on temperature and lighting is available here.
Fresh paint, appliances, or flooring can make a house look new. Don’t get distracted by the parts of a home that are easily changed. Instead, take a look at the five components outlined in this article to make the best long-term home purchase for your current and future needs.