Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
A home is likely to be the most expensive investment that you’ll make in your lifetime – it’s just as a big of an event for the experienced buyer as it is for rookies. It isn’t something that you should take lightly or jump in with out doing the proper research. Before making a big purchase, it’s recommended that you conduct a home inspection as there are potential hazards that are commonly found during such inspections.
Buying a home is an exciting time and you may feel compelled to just get the hassle over with and start living in your new home, you should resist this urge to rush the process. Before spending hundreds of dollars on a home inspection, there are a couple things to look for that can indicate the overall “health” of a house that you can look for all on your own!
Roof Age
Getting a roof replaced is one of the most expensive renovations that comes with owning a home. A roof’s lifetime can vary drastically depending on the type of material used. Shingled roof can last for as little as 15 years or up 50 years and beyond. A metal roof will likely last even longer than a shingle roof, however there isn’t much in the way of cosmetic appeal behind metal roofs. When viewing a property, there are many ways to get a good grasp on the actual age of a roof. Take a look at the “key-ways” on the roof, if they are spaced far apart, it will generally signify that the roof hasn’t been replaced recently. It’s also a good idea to check for loose, missing or warped shingles
Plumbing
When you walk through the house, check all the sinks, faucets and toilets to make sure they are draining properly and that there are no leaks coming from the pipes. Check to see if the water pressure from the faucets and showers are acceptable to your liking. Double check that the toilets are tightly secured and not loosened at the base, while also flushing properly. The last thing you are going to want to have is a beautiful house in need of a complete plumbing overhaul.
Electrical Service
There are many different types of electric services that range from brands, fuses, and amperage. Many homes will have a 100 AMP circuit breakers, however it is still very common to find houses with “old-fashioned” fuse boxes. Many new homes are being 200 AMP circuit breakers and Generac commercial generators installed somewhere on the property to match their electrical output. Make sure the house has the kind of electrical output that is maintained in a way that is preferable to you. Getting an older style fuse box, may be part of the appeal when buying an older home if you are in to legitimate antique homes. However, this may not be satisfactory to the modern homeowner.
Remember, buying a home is a big investment and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you see any potential problems with any of the above features, don’t be afraid to keep looking. This is your future that you’re talking about – don’t settle for anything less!
A home is likely the biggest investment you'll ever make, so do your research! Find property-specific and area information at Housefax.com. Reports include property details, incident history, building permits, loan information, and more. Your first report is free!