So you’ve decided to plant roots and own a home. Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be daunting and overwhelming. There are so many things to do, steps to follow and a lot of requirements to fulfill. And the money involve is pretty big. You’ll want to be sure that your big-ticket purchase is worth it.
Here, we’ll go through the six things that you need to check and confirm before finally purchasing your home.
1. Check with your bank or mortgage specialist
First, you have to check with your bank and mortgage specialist. This way, you’ll have an idea of what your budget is, how much you want to spend on your house and how much property taxes you can pay, among other things.
As a rule of thumb, the cost of your house should be three times your annual income. This will ensure that you’re not overspending and spreading yourself too thin.
2. Decide on the type of house you want to get
Something to keep in mind when you’re researching for a home, talking to a realtor, or looking at show homes, is the size of the house. Ask yourself or your spouse if you want a single-story house or a bigger home. Do you prefer to have a garage at the side or at the back? How many bedrooms do you require?
Come up with a list of your preferences even before you set out looking for a property. Buying a house can get overwhelming, so it’s better to have an idea in mind instead of being swayed by what’s presented in front of you.
3. Check the community
You have to check the area. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself driving over the town or the city. Make sure that the key places are accessible like school for your kids, market, playground, and other necessities like transportation.
Hire agents or professionals who have expertise in the neighborhoods you’re looking into. For example, if you’re in New York and want a place in Chelsea, get an agent in Chelsea. If you live in Yorkshire and are interested in Horsforth, find letting agents in Horsforth. Property agents who specialize in certain neighborhoods will be more knowledgeable than a professional who doesn’t have experience in certain communities.
Technology today allows us to view homes even if we’re not physically able to go there, so there’s no reason you can’t check the neighborhood even if you have yet to visit the place.
4. Check the foundation of the home
Once you’ve narrowed down your search and have chosen a house. You will have to check the foundation of the home. Check that the interior is something that you could change if you’re buying a resale home.
Check if the bones or the main foundation have any cracks. Look at the exterior and the grading of the land because you want to make sure that it drains properly when it rains. Also, check the landscape or the roads and make sure that there are no accident-prone areas.
5. Check the electrical panel
As a rule of thumb, you should always hire a home inspector, but it’s better if you see it for yourself. Even virtually will do fine. An electrical panel should be neat and organized with wires and connections neatly marked as this is a sign of good quality workmanship. On the other hand, a disorganized nest of wires is not a good indication and could be a safety hazard.
6. Check plumbing and potential leakage
There are areas in a house that are more susceptible to leaks and water infiltration than others. You should make sure that you pay special attention to these areas.
Make sure that gutters of the roof are in good condition with perfect drainage into the ground – far from the foundations of the house. If the house has an outdoor patio, make sure that the drains are cleared and in good shape.
These are just the top things you should always look at when buying a house. Always hire a home inspector to make sure that you know everything there is to know about the property. Like any successful project, successful home buying will require a lot of research, planning, and reviewing. So make sure that you know what you want in a house and that you’re getting the best deal for your money.