Purchasing your first home can be a thrilling adventure. Aside from being one of the most significant expenditures of your life, having a home establishes your status as a true adult. Adulthood is determined by your age, but the choices you make as an adult can transform you into a fully-fledged grownup.
One of those moments is purchasing your own home. Buying your first house and keeping up with the payments is a major responsibility that should never be undertaken on a whim or if you are even slightly apprehensive.
With this in mind, it’s only natural that there are some things to keep in mind when looking for a home. After all, at this point, you arere likely to have your finances in order and know exactly what your budget is, how much your mortgage is, and how much you owe each month, as well as the consequences if you don’t keep your half of the contract when it comes to payments.
As appealing as it is to buy a property with your heart, using your brains and making a rational decision is the best option. Before you sign on the dotted line, you should go into this procedure with your eyes open and know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Nobody wants to buy their first house only to discover that it comes with a slew of unanticipated costs.
Exterior issues
Take a look at the property from the outside before you go inside. Examine the brickwork for cracks that could suggest a more significant issue, such as subsidence.
Then, with your eyes and focus directed above, move your gaze to the roof. Are there any obvious flaws? What do you mean, holes? Do you have guttering issues? Knowing what to expect might help you budget for any repairs, new gutter installation or renovations that may be required once you are the proud new owners of your house.
Plumbing problems
If you are serious about buying a house, plumbing is always a good place to start. Don’t just turn the taps on and off; get your hands dirty and inspect every component of the plumbing system. From searching for leaks and mold around pipework to turning on the boiler and determining its age and state of repair. No one wants to have to move into a house and immediately replace a boiler.
Damp and mold
When it comes to detecting dampness and mold, use your senses. Look for any traces of water, such as stains or scratches on the walls, or even water droplets. Something being wet that shouldn’t be wet is a dead giveaway that something isn’t quite right. Concentrate on the corners and outside walls, as this are where the majority of the problems occur.
Newly painted rooms and furnishings in unusual places, as well as sections that are unnecessarily covered up, could conceal something that the current owners don’t want you to see. A major damp problem could cause you more problems than you believe.
