What To Look For When Buying A House

So, you're looking to buy a house. Congrats! This is an exciting time, especially for first-time home buyers, when dreaming and moving toward a new future comes into focus.

You may be thinking a lot about how this impacts your family, your future and - this one is less fun - your bank account. The process becomes part of your daily lives when you have designated yourself as "looking for a house." But do you know what to look for when buying?

Most think they do, but many really don't. It's not quite as easy as shopping for, say, a new car. There are going to be tradeoffs and compromises depending on your must-haves and your budget.

Most of us know a lot about what we want, but sometimes the less-exciting factors get brushed aside, even if they're actually the most critical.

Maybe you have a general idea but are a little uneasy about not knowing what you don’t know, so to speak. That's completely normal. Here, you'll get some of the guidance you need when it comes to buying a house.

Whether you're buying in the peak real estate seasons of spring and summer or the offseason of winter, looking for houses is fun, plain and simple. Maybe you enjoy going to open houses and chatting it up with the listing agent. And thanks to virtual reality, it's easier than ever to browse potential homes from the comfort of your couch.

That said, being too wide-eyed and excited can mean missing some key factors. Let's review some things that you should be sure to look for when buying a new home.

1.   The Neighborhood

Investigating the neighborhood of a potential home and other aspects about its location is as important as the home itself. Ever heard the saying "location is everything"? Well, it is, and not just for being happy in your new home, but for making sure it holds and increases its value during the time you live there if you ever want to sell it in the future.

Research all you can about the area, including schools, transportation, distance to the nearest airport, nearby homes, busy roads, job opportunities, flood zones, and anything else you and your real estate agent can think of that might impact the home's value.

2.   The Size Of The House

It may seem obvious, but don’t underestimate the importance of the size of a house. Think about the number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, if there is adequate storage space, and other factors specific to your individual situation to make sure your future home will accommodate all of your family's needs.

3.   The Floor Plan

Size is important, but how it is used is even more important. A good floor plan makes the best use of the square footage and is functional for what you want to get out of your new home. Thinking about how you will use the rooms and if the layout works will go a long way in knowing how happy you will be living there. It also helps make remodeling easier if you consider future plans in relation to the existing layout. You won't have to worry about unforeseen pitfalls like moving walls that could potentially be load-bearing.

4.   The Exterior Of The Home

Always take a close look at the condition of the exterior of a home. Specifically, review the state of the foundation, the age of the roof, the condition of the home's siding and upkeep of the yard.

This can be a little less exciting than reviewing the finishes in the interior, but it will save you time and money down the line by making sure everything is in tip-top shape. Or, at the very least, identify what problems you need to address before or after closing on the home.

5.   The Home's Systems

This isn’t the sexiest part of the home, but understanding how the key mechanical systems work and what condition they are in is way more important than your opinion of the paint color on the walls. Be sure to examine how the systems of the home are currently operating, including the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heater and more. These are the engines that make your home go, providing you the comforts necessary for daily life, so don’t overlook them.

6.   Signs Of Damage

Carefully inspect the inside and out for signs of damage including odors, water damage and mold. Inspect the electrical systems as well. Electrical issues can create big problems if they're not taken care of quickly.

When you're viewing a home, be aware of any signs of electrical issues like a buzzing sound when the lights are on, flickering lights and hot ceiling fixtures. Large cracks along the ceiling or walls could signify that a home might have structural issues. Smaller hairline cracks can form in older homes as they settle, but large cracks could be from large movements. If you find some of these, you'll want to get a professional in there ASAP to find the root of the problem.

If you are buying sight unseen, it's a good idea to have your REALTOR® take a look at the property for you, if possible. Knowing what you need to repair or want to ask the seller to fix before signing on the dotted line will bring you some serious peace of mind.

7.   Natural Light

When it comes to the natural light a home invites in, there is only so much you can change after purchasing it. Improvements like adding windows can help, but you aren't changing which way the sun faces anytime soon. If the house is oriented in a direction that gets a lot of natural light - and natural light is important to you - that's a great thing to take note of.

8.   The Basement And Attic

Look carefully at the basement and attic of a potential home. Are they finished spaces or can they be finished later on? Pay special attention to signs of health hazards, damaged areas or evidence of pests.

9.   The Garage

When it comes to your new home, it's not just about the house. If a garage is included, make sure to spend time looking that over as well. Think about parking space, if the garage is attached or separate, and how much garage storage you need, just to name a few variables to consider.

10.   Renovation Needs

Found the perfect dream home where you wouldn't change a thing? Awesome! Also unlikely, so if not, consider how many renovations each home you look at may need. Specific items to consider are the flooring, paint, and larger projects like kitchen remodels and room additions.

It's a lot to consider, right? Home buying can be stressful, and you may be wondering if you have the right knowledge and experience to see everything that needs to be seen. Well, that's where a professional home inspection of the property comes in. Your real estate agent can help you find a good home inspector who will come in and look at every aspect of the home to ensure you're not missing anything before you buy.

Simply put, a home inspection is a visual examination of a property you're considering making your home. Once a property is under contract and its status is changed to "pending," a home inspection is used to make sure everything is working properly and can be useful in spotting things that might eventually become a problem.

A home inspector looks at several different items and gives a professional opinion on the status by creating a report that highlights whether there are any problems that were visible, repairs that are needed, and potential risks that the inspector wasn't able to see.

It's a very valuable process, but don't confuse a home inspection with a guarantee that a property is in good condition. An inspection is simply information to help a buyer make a well-informed decision when they are considering moving forward with the purchase of their new home. It's also important to remember to ask questions when looking at a house as well. The seller can give you better insights into the home they've been living in.

Best possible advice: Be curious. You should always feel comfortable asking your lender, home inspector and real estate agent any questions that arise. Things like taking notes, asking for more photos or another tour, clarifications on mortgage terms, etc. will ensure you feel informed and at ease every step of the way. If you have lingering questions about what you're looking for in a house, take our home buying quiz to find your dream home.

Trust your eyes and gut when it comes to looking at your new possible home carefully. Combine that with trusting the expertise from all the professionals you will lean on during the process. Ready to go but not sure where to begin? Contact us today, and let’s chat!