Buying a home is indeed an exciting experience! It’s so exciting that many prospective homebuyers often focus too much on changeable or replaceable elements in the home that they tend to forget what really matters. This is why it’s essential that you make a list of your priorities to ensure the home you buy will have them.
Aside from that, here are seven important home elements that you must pay attention to before buying a property:
1. Location
Location is crucial––if the house isn’t in the right location, you can suffer many consequences, such as the distance from your workplace. This is why you should drive around the neighbourhood through different routes and times of the day. Take this chance to look at your neighbour’s homes, nearby buildings, and streets to identify things that could make your living experience unpleasant.
2. Floor Plan
You need to ensure that the floor plan is suitable for your needs. If the property still needs lots of demolition, then you might want to reconsider. Keep in mind that big demolitions can be costly, and it would make the scope of work even bigger. What’s ideal here is the home has all the rooms you need and a layout that works for your needs.
3. Roof & Gutters
You don’t want to get into any roof and gutter problems because they can be time-consuming and expensive to replace or even repair. When looking at a potential home, it’s important that you have a professional who can look at the roof to determine if it’s worn out already or if it doesn’t meet certain standards according to your homeowners’ insurance. By doing so, you get to catch issues early, and you can discuss them with the previous homeowner to negotiate the price or have the roof fixed.
At Residential Inspection Edmonton, our home inspectors will help you outline the future repair or maintenance cost to avoid any financial shocks!
4. Water Damage
Aside from roof and gutter issues, you also need to pay attention to signs of water damage in the property. Be on the lookout for discoloured or dark spots on roofs and walls. Likewise, be mindful of strange smells, such as musty or mildew smells, as they can be signs of severe water damage.
5. Electrical Panels
Be sure to consider the electrical panels, especially if you are planning to buy an older home. If you see the words “Federal Pacific Electric” or “Stab-Lok” on the panel, then you are looking at a potential safety hazard. Additionally, keep an eye out for wiring that is unsecured because it can easily harm your family members.
6. AC & Heating Systems
Have the AC and heating systems turned on while you’re viewing the property, and watch out for unusual sounds. To make things so much easier, you can hire a home inspector to examine the home’s essential appliances and equipment. Our home inspectors can approximate the installation age of major systems in the home, such as plumbing, heating, cooling, and other critical equipment, and let you know the remaining shelf life.
7. Yard Size, Features, and Shape
The yard size and its features, along with its shape, are important, especially if you plan to stay in the house for a long time. These are important considerations as well if you have children at home because you want to make sure they can play outside safely.
Conclusion
Buying a home is exciting yet challenging at the same time. Aside from looking at the property’s aesthetics, you shouldn’t forget the elements discussed above. Otherwise, you could end up paying for more when you purchase the house due to repairs or replacements. This is why you must consider a professional home inspection before you purchase a property!
Are you looking for the best home inspections in Edmonton? Then you have come to the right place. At Residential Inspection Edmonton, we provide a thorough home inspection done by a qualified professional with years of experience. Get in touch with us today to schedule an inspection!