Moving Tip

7 Things To Look Out For When Buying A New Home

Even if you’ve purchased a home before, it can be difficult to know what to look for when buying a new house. Every home is unique, and there are a lot of potential issues that can arise. With that in mind, here’s a short “viewing a house checklist” that can help you avoid the biggest problems.

1. Visit the neighborhood during the day and night.

A neighborhood may feel very differently during the day and night, and your neighborhood can dramatically impact the feel of your home. Maybe there are too few streetlights; maybe there are too many. Perhaps there are loud neighbors at night, or too many children running around during the day. When you purchase a home, you’re also purchasing into a neighborhood. Having neighbors that don’t fit your idea of “good” can make even the best home a miserable experience.

2. Talk to the neighbors to get a sense of the community.

Sometimes what to look for when touring a house ends up being outside of the house entirely. Talking to the neighbors can give you some insight into the experience of the neighborhood. If your neighbors appear to be standoffish or defensive, or way too involved and intrusive, it’s possible you’ll experience issues. This is also a good time to find out if there’s a Homeowner’s Association. Your neighbors can give you a feel of the neighborhood and tell you about any issues they noticed with the property, as they most likely have no vested interest in the sale.

3. Hire your own professional to do a deep inspection of the house.

It’s critical to get a home inspection before you purchase a property. Use your own third-party inspector to inspect things such as the roof, HVAC system, and foundation. If they find issues, that’s not necessarily a deal killer as you can get concessions from the seller — but you should be aware of any potential problems.

4. Get a moving team as soon as possible.

You don’t want to end up with a brand new home but no way to move into it. The best moving teams are often booked well in advance. If you have a sales contract in hand, it’s already time to arrange your move. This will help you keep a tight schedule, especially if you’re selling and buying a home at the same time.

If you’ve already sold your home, you can also invest in storage services, so you don’t need to rush to invest in a new property.

5. Check out your insurance and property tax first.

Home insurance costs and property tax costs need to be considered when you think about the cost of your new home. Often, a home buyer may not calculate more expensive insurance costs and may find themselves with a higher payment than they originally thought.

6. Be wary of any dirt or maintenance issues.

Is it really a big deal if a home you’re buying isn’t clean? After all, you can get it professionally cleaned later. Unfortunately, dirt and maintenance issues can indicate that there are other, more serious problems with a home. If someone didn’t bother cleaning the carpet in a house, they may not have been taking care of the roof or gutters either. Don’t discount a home if it’s a little dirty, but do consider completing a more thorough inspection.

7. Take a look at the nearby amenities.

Public transportation, gyms, libraries, restaurants, and even movie theaters — they may not immediately seem important, but they’re a critical issue with day-to-day life. It can be stressful if your closest grocery store is 30 minutes away, even if your home is your dream home. Remember to consider the context of a property as well as the property itself.

These are only a few of the things to consider when buying a house. Your real estate agent can also help you by pointing out issues or red flags in properties. It may be a little overwhelming to think about all the new home considerations at first, but considering everything in advance will keep you from making any significant mistakes.