It's Time: 3 Tips To Avoid Headaches When You Buy Your First Home
Posted on: 13 December 2016
If you've decided it's time to buy your first home, you'll want to make sure you get the best house for your money. The last thing you want is to end up with a case of buyer's remorse after your first home purchase. Buying your first home can be stressful and confusing, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. To help get you started, here are three things you should look for when looking at houses for sale.
Age of the Furnace
When looking for a home, you want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. This should include the age of the furnace. An old furnace may require replacement as soon as you move in. Ask the owners how old the furnace is. It's also important to ask if they have any maintenance paperwork for it. The maintenance papers will help you identify potential problems. If the owners don't have maintenance paperwork for their furnace, ask them to provide an inspection of the unit before you purchase the home.
Condition of the Foundation
While you're walking around the house, look for signs of foundation damage. A damaged foundation could point to possible structural problems with the home. The first thing you should look for are cracks or ridges in the foundation. You'll be able to see them under vinyl flooring, and you'll be able to feel them with your feet under carpeting. Next, look around the door jambs. If you see small cracks radiating out from the door jambs, those are signs of foundation damage. Finally, open and shut all the doors. If they get stuck, or they don't latch properly, the foundation has shifted under them.
Condition of the Roof
The roof is another area of the home that you should inspect before you purchase. You don't have to climb up on the roof to get a good look. Go outside and walk around the perimeter of the house. Look at the roof and check for signs of missing or damaged shingles. It's also a good idea to look at the ground near the house. If the asphalt shingles are wearing out, you'll see asphalt granules on the ground. As an asphalt shingle roof ages, the granules come loose. Wind and rain can remove them, which is why you'll see them on the ground.
Now that you're in the market for your first home, don't get stuck with a headache. Use the tips provided above to identify problems before you sign a contract. Talk to your real estate agent about other helpful ways to identify problems.
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