5 Things to Thoroughly Inspect When Buying a Home

Buying a home is a major investment, and the last thing you need is to spend your hard-earned money on a house that’s riddled with damage. While some states require you to have a home inspection done, some do not, but no matter what, it’s a good idea for you to have one done even if it’s not required. After all, there are certain things you should keep your eye on that will help you make your final decision on which house you want to purchase. Whether you’re just looking or in the final stretch of your home purchase, here are five things you’ll want to thoroughly inspect.

1. Foundation

The foundation of a home plays a very important role in whether or not the house is safe to live in. If there are major foundation issues, it means the house could put you and your family in harm’s way. For instance, a poor foundation could lead to a failing structure, and this is not something you want to have happen to you or your new home. Be sure to thoroughly inspect the foundation and look for cracks, breaking, damage, or anything else that seems out of the ordinary. Please note that foundation issues are often extremely expensive to fix, so you’ll definitely want to know ahead of time if there’s something you need to keep your eye on.

2. Roof/Siding

Because the home’s exterior deals with all types of weather conditions, it is often at risk of needing to be repaired. When looking at the exterior of the home, you’ll want to look for any signs of damage that need to be replaced or could be signs of other damage. For instance, a damaged roof could be a sign there’s water or mold damage underneath that will create a more expensive fix. In addition, you’ll want to know how to spot hail damage as well as mold, wind, or fire damage so you can determine if this is something that you can fix or if it’s a deal-breaker on that specific house.

3. Furnace/Air Condition

When it comes to inspecting the home, it’s not just about the aesthetics. It’s also about the main functionality of the home. For instance, you’ll want to thoroughly inspect your furnace and air conditioning unit to ensure they work properly. Again, these are two things that can be expensive to replace, so it’s not ideal for you to pick a home without looking at these two things. Also, it’s important to know the date of the current HVAC unit as well as if it’s up to code and if it can properly service the home. If either unit is too small, it could mean you’ll have a high energy bill just to heat up or cool down your home.

4. Water Pipes

Water damage can lead to mold, and this is not only detrimental to your health, but it can also be expensive to fix. When looking at a potential new home, be sure to look for any signs of water damage, specifically in kitchens and bathrooms. Check underneath sinks to see if you can spot any leaks, and check basements for any signs of leaks or musty smells. In addition, be sure to run every faucet and flush every toilet to give you a sense of the water pressure. If you notice leaks or damage, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber come and check it out.

5. Electric

Your home’s electric can cause a lot of damage if it’s faulty, so be sure this is something you thoroughly look at. In fact, it makes sense to have a licensed electrician inspect the electricity throughout the home and ensure it’s all up to date and appropriate for your home’s size. If they notice anything wrong with the electrical, it’s a good idea to bring it up to the current homeowners and see if they will fix it. If not, you can use this for negotiating your price or you can use it as a decision factor in whether or not you want to actually move forward with buying the house.

Because buying a home is very big investment, you need to focus your efforts and thoughts on the factors that can actually impact your safety or the overall cost of the house. This means keeping an eye on things like your roof, water, electric, siding, and foundation. Using things like paint colors or types of flooring as a decision in whether or not to buy a home is not always the right thing.