Most homes have a history, and not all of that history is good. If you are buying a house that is not brand new, you are likely inheriting at least a few small issues. Though these issues may be annoying, they don’t need to drive you out of your house. Here are some common issues and some low-cost solutions to the problem.
Drafty Windows
Depending on the time of year and weather conditions when you go to look at your prospective home, you might not notice whether there is a draft around the windows. And that is a problem, because temperature loss through poorly sealed windows is a real problem. If you notice a draft once the weather turns sour after you have bought the house, there are some simple things you can do to fix it. You can put up some heavy curtains to absorb the temperature and run some weather-stripping along the seals to make sure they are intact.
Old Air Conditioner or Heater
Any honest real estate agent will disclose any major issues with the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the home you are looking at. But sometimes a simple issue, such as an older system, will slip by the buyer unnoticed. An older system won’t work as efficiently as a modern one, in many cases, and can be much more prone to breakdowns that require costly repairs. You can extend the life of an aging system by keeping up on maintenance tasks such as changing filters, but there is an upward limit. Be ready to replace your old HVAC if necessary.
Creaking Floorboards
Although a relatively minor issue in the grand scheme of things, creaky floorboards are certainly annoying. They cause problems when a family member needs to get up in the middle of the night and ends up waking others with the noise. If you are worried that fixing a loud floor issue will cost a lot of money, you shouldn’t worry. The squeaking sound we think of as creaky floorboards is often caused by gaps between the wood of the floor and the supporting structure that surrounds them, and it can be fixed pretty easily by inserting boards or similar methods.
Loud Neighbors
One problem that can cause big headaches for homeowners outside the house is the presence of party animal neighbors. Although you can try to look around for the signs of a party house during a daytime house visit, the best way to screen for neighborhood issues is to drive through the area at night on the weekend, when people are the most likely to be partying. Of course, there are other things that your neighbors can do that make noise, such as having loud arguments or engaging in metalworking. Soundproofing your house may be the only option.
With some work and a little bit of ingenuity, you can keep your home in tip-top shape. Learn how to fix these minor problems and make your house into a dream home anyone would be proud to live in.
