When you begin searching for a new home, chances are the homes you look at will be well staged and looking their best. However, buying a home is a huge investment, and there could be issues lurking beneath the surface that could cost you in the long run if you’re not at least aware of them. The required disclosures should provide some details like the age of the roof, the age of the furnace and other key features of the home, but what about some of the other, more subtle issues that can only be revealed visually? Here are three important things to look for when touring a home for sale.
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Look At The Kitchen
Many home viewers gravitate to the kitchen naturally, but you need to look past first impressions because the kitchen is one of the most expensive parts of the house to update and renovate. Look at the age and condition of the appliances; check the countertops and cabinetry for wear-and-tear. Be sure to look under the sink at the pipes; look for signs of rust and leaks, as this can be a signal of more widespread plumbing issues. The kitchen doesn’t have to be brand new for it to be a good investment for you, but you do need to go into it with your eyes open, so you know what expenses to plan for.
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Look Up and Look Down
By this, we mean check the extremities of the rooms in the home—the ceilings, walls, corners and floorboards. Check the ceilings for signs of stains, buckling or discoloration, as these can be signs of leak problems. Check the floorboards for any signs of warping or deterioration. Also, open and close doors in the house to see if there is any sticking or swinging, as these can be signs of possible foundation issues. If you see anything suspicious, ask about it, and make sure you’re satisfied with the answer before making an offer.
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Look At The Neighborhood
No matter how costly, you can update or fix almost anything having to do with the house. The surrounding neighborhood is the one part of the home you can’t control, so make sure you’re OK with where the house sits. Are the neighboring homes in good shape or in disrepair? Is there a lot of noise coming from the neighbors? Is the home near a highway, or near a commercial area or near a nightclub that could produce noise at unwanted times of the night? Make sure you’re happy with the neighborhood itself before buying the home, no matter how good the price might be.
Of course, whenever you’re touring a home for sale, it is a great idea to have an experienced real estate agent with a trained eye, someone who is willing to talk with you about the negatives of a home as well as the positives. For expert help with your home search in Atlanta, call Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 404.237.5000.