Shopping for a new home can be overwhelming. You want to be happy with such a large purchase and long-term commitment.
This article will discuss what to look out for when purchasing a house, and what you should consider when evaluating the most essential elements of a home.
The decision to buy a home is an individual one. Consider all aspects of the home and rank them according to your needs. Then, decide which elements are worth negotiating and which ones are not.
Before you begin seriously looking at houses, it is important to determine what you can afford and where you want to live.
1. House Size
You should have a general idea of what size house you want before you do too much hunting around, including a minimum and/or maximum square footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need.
Your needs and personal preferences will determine the size of your house. You will need more space if you have a large family, or are planning to start one. If your household is small, you may find smaller houses more appealing and more affordable.
A larger home has many advantages, including the ability to accommodate your family members and guests. However, a smaller house also has its benefits. If you are just starting out, smaller houses can be easier and more affordable to furnish. These houses are also easier to clean and less expensive to maintain.
Personal preference will dictate how small you can make it feel cozy or cramped. To get an idea of what size house would suit you, it may help to see houses of different sizes.
2.The Ideal Yard
Personal preference will also play a role in what type of yard you want. Do you want a lot of acreage and beautiful, low-maintenance landscaping? Do you want to be free from the responsibility of a large lawn? Perhaps you prefer a home that is further back from the road to give you more privacy.
It is also important to consider what type of features you would like for your backyard. You can find homes with all sorts of natural and human-made features from streams and ponds to pools, hot tubs, patios, swing sets, decks, built-in grills and more. These are useful and attractive features for some home buyers.
For others, they signal liability, expense and time commitment. If a backyard does not have the features that you desire, can you have them added after you move?
Consider the size of your lot, maintenance requirements, cost, and features you want in the front and back.
3.The Exterior of the House
Do not let your enthusiasm for a beautiful interior distract you from the importance of a strong exterior.
You will have to inspect the home before you buy a house with a damaged exterior. However, it is a good idea not to rush to do so.
These are the most important exterior components to be aware of when looking at a house.
- Roof: This is a huge one. A new roof costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000 and even higher. You should give your roof, or any visible part of it, a thorough inspection to identify any damage. It is also worth asking how old the roof may be. However, an older roof doesn’t necessarily have to be removed. Depending on the material used, a well-maintained roof can last many decades.
- FoundationFoundation problems can lead to heartache and cost thousands to thousands of dollars to fix. Cracks in walls around doors and windows are a sign of a poor foundation. Another sign is sticking or jamming doors and windows. Final word: Get a professional to sign off on your project. The state of the foundation.
- Siding: Take a look at the exterior walls any obvious signs of disrepair or damage, such as peeling paint, rotting timber, cracks, or any other signs of decay, should be reported.
4.Bedrooms
The purpose of the bedrooms will determine whether or not they are suitable. For example, families with small children might not want a house where the primary bedroom is on a different floor from the kids’ bedrooms. If you plan on converting an extra bedroom into a home office, you might prefer a layout where the bedrooms are farther away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and living room. It all comes down to your individual needs.
Again, the size and number of bedrooms are important considerations. However, there are plenty of other factors you should also think about, including closet space, sources of natural and artificial light, views from the windows, general privacy, and whether there’s an attached bathroom to the primary bedroom, and other factors.
The number and placement of electrical outlets is one small thing that can become a major problem. This is particularly important if there isn’t enough natural light or built-in lighting in your bedroom. If so, you will need to plug in at least one or more lamps.
This post was written by Josh Dotoli! Josh is the owner of Josh Dotoli Group which is a laser-focused real estate team at Compass comprised of industry experts selling Fort Lauderdale’s best neighborhoods. This dynamic group is one of the top-selling real estate teams in South Florida with over $94 million in sales in the past 12 months alone.
