It may seem like any home you buy these days is going to be a bargain, but think again: You still need to check everything to make sure you’re not being sold a “lemon.”
Now more than ever you have to review the basics. With all those home remodeling shows on TV showing sellers how to spruce up their house with a fresh coat of paint and some fancy rental furniture. There could be serious flaws hidden behind the “oh – Wow!” attractive appearance factor.
Here are some of the basics to check in every house you look at:
Lease -Look for areas that have growth potential (and resale potential). It is better to have the worst house on the best street than the best house on the worst street.
Aspect – A house that faces in the right direction has a great advantage. Depending on your location, a house with a balcony facing south (USA, Europe and Great Britain) or a balcony facing north (Australia, New Zealand, Africa, South America) has many advantages, such as heating bills lower in winter.
Presentation – don’t be fooled by the presentation – make sure the cabinet doors open and the drawers open and close easily. Don’t stop playing because it might look like a show house.
flexibility – Check the flexibility of the distribution of the house. If the look isn’t perfect, how hard would it be to relocate a couple of rooms to fix it?
Light – make sure the house gets enough light and air. Not having enough of either can lead to mold and mildew (and our next point).
Smell – sniff well. I am always alert when I visit a house that has left an incense burner burning. Are they trying to cover something up? Check especially in those rooms that receive less sunlight and air (such as bathrooms). A strong smell of bleach or ammonia could be a sign of trouble.
Storage – Make sure there is room for all your furniture, bedding and linens, sports and gaming equipment, and knick-knacks. Check both the interior and exterior of the house.
Garden – Does the garden suit your needs? Do you do a lot of entertainment? Do you have children and/or pets? Is the fencing adequate?
bathroom – Ventilation is essential in a bathroom. Make sure the bathroom has a ceiling fan or windows that open easily.
Kitchen room – One of the key things to check in the kitchen is the triangle with the greatest movement. That is the area between the stove, refrigerator, and sink. Is there enough space for 2-3 people to use this area (like when you are entertaining)? And are there enough power outlets for all your kitchen gadgets? Older houses, especially, have few power outlets in kitchens.
There’s a lot more to it, but this gives you an indication of the kinds of things to look out for. Just because a home has dropped in price doesn’t mean it’s a bargain, it might just be a lemon!
For more information and tips on buying a home, check out my resource box.
