10 Things to estimate When Buying a Home

Buying a home is a lifetime investment and you need to be very careful to avoid losing money, buying the wrong house, or buying in the wrong neighborhood. Buying a house is a course of action that involves a series of steps with the goal of making the wrong choices. Sometimes, when buying a house, you need the help of professionals; for example, for inspection to ascertain that the house is in the right condition. If you are considering buying a house, here are 10 things you should estimate:

1. The roof

The roof of a house plays a meaningful role in ensuring your valuable items and family members are safe from different weather conditions. It is important to understand that roofs have a lifespan, depending on the materials used, and the kind of roof. consequently, before you buy a house, ensure that the roof is in the right condition and that it has not surpassed its lifespan to avoid a leaking roof. You can have a roof contractor carry out an inspection to avoid incurring additional roof repairs or substitute after buying the house.

2. The plumbing system

The houses plumbing system should be working properly to avoid additional costs. Ensure that you like the way the toilet flushes, check the drains, water pressure and faucets in bathrooms and kitchen. In addition, you need to know how long it takes for hot water to get to the shower, whether there is a water softener and the age of the water heater. Most water heaters have a lifespan between 10 – 15 years depending on the form, how they were maintained, and how often they were used in addition as other factors. consequently, checking the age of the water heater will help you know when you should replace it; consequently helping you to determine whether it is worth buying the house.

3. The size and the floor plan

When buying a house, you are clearly thinking of settling down with your family in addition as about your future. The size of the house and the floor plan are some of the factors you should consider in order to make the right choice. Depending on the kind of family you want to have, the size of the house will be a calculating factor, because a large home can offer enough space for your family and friends when they visit, in addition as a home office. However, you will have to pay more for a larger home – both in mortgage and utility bills.

4. Location

Your neighborhood plays a meaningful role when buying a house because it not only affects the value of the house but also availability of resources and security. You should gather as much information about the neighborhood as possible to make sure that it is safe and has all the facilities (social amenities) you need. Consider the closeness of your home to your place of work and ease of access because you will need that every day. However, you should know that the location might determine the value of your house.

5. Electrical systems

Just like the plumbing system, your electrical system should be working properly to avoid possible injuries and accidents. A good electrical system also has little or no maintenance and repair costs after youve bought the house. consequently, when evaluating the electrical system, make sure you know how much the electrical system can manager, whether the electrical sockets are upgraded to take grounded plugs or the kind of electrical system used to wire your house. If you cannot o the assessment yourself, hiring an electrician is a better option.

6. Kitchen appliances

You will need to use your kitchen every day after buying the house. Hence, checking the condition of the microwave, refrigerator, kitchen range, dishwasher and other kitchen appliances. If the house has a gas range, you should know whether it has a pilot light or an ignition starter and above all, know if these kitchen appliances will be sold with the house. You can make up your mind whether you want them or you will buy your own kitchen appliances depending on what your preferences and budget estimates are.

7. Interior environmental hazards

It is important to look for interior environmental hazards in a home to avoid exposing yourself and your family to health hazards from toxic substances. for example, in an older home, you need to look for any asbestos coating on the furnace, pipes, heating systems and on water heaters. Make sure that the basement is tested for the presence of any poisonous gases e.g. radon which is carcinogenic and may cause lung cancer. You should also be on the lookout for carbon monoxide and vermin to make sure that your home is safe. Finally, an inspector should determine whether the house has any rule-based paints because they are poisonous. In fact, homes that are offered for sale should not have any rule-based paints under federal laws.

8. Structural problems

Although you cannot buy an old house in perfect condition, it should have few or no structural problems. If you buy a house that has numerous structural problems knowingly or unknowingly, you will end up spending a lot of money trying to fix them. Know the state of the interior walls, roof, gutters and downspouts, flashings, doors and windows. Remember to inspect the floor too, in addition as the fence and other structures in your house.

9. The Bedrooms and bathrooms

First of all, you need to decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms your house should have and then start looking for such a house. This will be determined by your preferences, family size and budget. You will then estimate the conditions of the bathroom and the bedrooms, their size and closets in addition as the flooring. Your bathroom should have tiles for easy cleaning in addition as a showerhead or a bathtub or already both. If you are thinking of adding additional room in future, have an architecture advice you whether it is possible after considering lot usage, space planning and city regulations.

10. Check outside the house

Finally, estimate the exterior part of your house because it also plays a role when buying your home. Does it have enough landscaping and a fence, where are the lot (or character) lines and the condition of the garage? Dont forget to check the condition of the fences, patio and the deck.