First-Time Homebuyer Guide: 10 Things to Watch For

Searching for your dream home can be an enjoyable experience, but don’t forget to inspect the home before falling in love with it. Buying your first home should be properly planned out and taken seriously.

When you are observing a home, pay attention to the way it looks, smells, and feels. Anything that you find out of the ordinary could be a potential red flag. Here are ten things that are important to watch for when looking to buy a home.

1. A Roof That Needs To Be Repaired

Damages to a roof could help lead to damages in other areas of the home. Take a look at the roof to see how old it looks, if there are any visible holes, or if something seems to be missing. An older roof may have holes that cause leaks to enter the home, which can lead to water damage and mold. A newer roof will save you money because the homeowners insurance rate will most likely be lower, and it could protect from any future damage.

2. Water Damage

You may not be able to visibly find any water damage, but a musty odor could indicate that it is present somewhere in the home. Check walls and ceilings for any leaks or water lines, and also check exposed piping in basements and other areas of the homes for a leak.

3. Signs of Mold

Since mold can be hard to find, open doors to cabinets and check around the water lines and drains for a sign of spots. Small black, grey, or white spots could indicate the presence of mold. Also look around faucets, commodes, and other areas that are caulked to check for mold.

4. Foundation Issues

If large cracks and gaps are found, there could be some major foundation issues. Small hairline cracks are usually nothing to worry about, but visible cracks around windows and doors could be more serious. An uneven floor could be another red flag when checking for foundation issues.

5. Old Heating And Cooling Systems

Try to make sure that the furnace and air conditioner are up to date and working properly. Old heating and cooling systems are not only expensive to repair and replace, but they will also hurt your bank account when you see your utility bill.

6. Proper Insulation

If you want to keep those heating and cooling costs to a minimum during the frigid winters and the blistering summers, then make sure that the house is properly insulated. The water pipes, heating ducts, attic, and basement are good places to check for proper insulation. A well-insulated home can reduce costs and even help sound-proof your home from outside noises.

7. Uneven Tiles

Uneven tiles make the home look sloppy, can be unsafe for those living inside, and may indicate that it was part of a DIY project, which may suggest there are other DIY errors in the home. Bathroom and kitchen tiles should be set properly, or it could cost the homeowner money down the road.

8. Decks That Are Damaged

Front and back decks are great features to a home, but only if they are safe and not damaged. Take a glance at the boards on a deck for any loose or missing screws. Also, look for any missing are damaged pieces of wood. If the supporting beams are damaged, the entire deck may need to be rebuilt.

9. Plumbing Problems

Plumbing issues can cause water damage and mold inside of a home, but leaks under the home can go undetected and cause your water bill to rise. Check for leaks in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other room that plumbing runs through. Plumbing problems can cause water damage, mold, and foul-smelling that can cause health problems.

10. The Area Surrounding the Home

Don’t forget to also check the land surrounding the home. Consider the weather and other circumstances that may affect the home such as flooding and wildfires. Also make sure that the property lines seem to be correct. Your driveway or fence could be positioned on a neighbors property, and that could potentially pose a problem in the future.

These are just a few things to watch for when you are looking to purchase your first home. You may also want to check for deferred maintenance, standing water, sloppy paint jobs, and crooked windows to help you spot other problems with the home.

Enlisting a professional to inspect your home can help ensure that any of the problems are found. Contact us today to learn more about the home inspection process and to set up an inspection.