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Are you on the hunt for your dream home? It’s an exciting journey, but don’t let that excitement cloud your judgment. One crucial step in the home-buying process is the house-viewing, and having a checklist in hand can make all the difference. With a comprehensive house-viewing checklist, you can ensure that the property you’re considering meets your needs, and you won’t be hit with unexpected issues after the purchase.

Why a House-Viewing Checklist is Necessary:

Before we dive into the checklist, let’s understand why it’s essential. House viewing is not just about falling in love with the aesthetics; it’s about evaluating the property’s condition and ensuring it aligns with your lifestyle. A checklist ensures that you don’t overlook any critical aspects and helps you make an informed decision.

1. Check the Plumbing:

One of the first items on your checklist should be the plumbing. Inspect for leaks, water pressure, and drainage. Faulty plumbing can lead to costly repairs down the road, so it’s essential to address any issues upfront.

2. Look at the Lights:

Check that all electrical fixtures are working. Dim or flickering lights may indicate electrical problems. Also, consider the placement of light switches to ensure they are convenient for your needs.

3. Inspect the Walls:

Examine the condition of the walls for any cracks, dampness, or signs of water damage. Wall issues can be expensive to fix, so it’s crucial to identify them early.

4. Scope Out the Floors:

Inspect the flooring for wear and tear, unevenness, or squeaks. Consider whether the type of flooring suits your preferences and lifestyle.

5. Open the Windows:

Windows play a vital role in natural light and ventilation. Ensure that they open and close smoothly and look for any signs of drafts or condensation between the panes.

6. Damp:

Dampness is a common issue in many properties. Look out for signs of damp on walls or ceilings, as it can be a health hazard and a costly problem to fix.

7. Aspect:

Consider the property’s orientation and how it relates to sunlight and views. The aspect can impact your daily life and energy bills.

8. Room Size:

Measure and evaluate the sizes of rooms to ensure they meet your needs and accommodate your furniture.

9. Windows:

Assess the type and condition of windows. Energy-efficient windows can save you money on heating and cooling costs.

10. Potential:

Think about the potential of the property. Is there room for expansion or renovation? Can you create the living space you desire?

11. Plumbing:

Revisiting plumbing, ensure that all taps, showers, and toilets function properly. Check for any signs of water damage in the bathrooms.

12. Structure:

Lastly, evaluate the overall structure of the property. Look for signs of structural damage or issues that may need immediate attention, such as a sagging roof or cracks in the foundation.

In conclusion, house viewing is a critical step in the home-buying process. By following a well-structured checklist, you can ensure that you thoroughly assess all aspects of a property and make an informed decision. Keep in mind that while a checklist is essential, it’s also essential to work with a qualified inspector and real estate agent to address any potential concerns and ensure a successful home purchase.

Don’t let the charm of a property blind you to its flaws. Take your time during the house viewing, use this checklist, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect place to call home. Happy house hunting!

With so many considerations to weigh in potential properties, here are some red flags to look out for when buying a house, especially during the viewing.

1. Poor tiling or flooring work. This would be a sign of a bad flip or remodeling job, and you could end up spending a lot of money to fix it.
2. Foundation issues. Hairline cracks are usually a sign the house is settling as it ages, but larger gaps or cracking could signal a bigger issue with the foundation.
3. Poor maintenance. If it is apparent from the walk-through that the seller has failed to keep the property in good condition, there might be even worse problems beneath the surface. A poorly maintained home might require costly repairs or renovations.
4. Nearby water. If the home is near a pond, lake, canal, ocean or other body of water, the property could be at a higher risk of flooding. Ask your real estate agent to find out if the property is in a FEMA flood zone, which might trigger the need to buy special flood insurance in addition to homeowners insurance.
5. Poorly installed windows. This could be a sign of foundation problems or a bad remodeling job requiring new windows. If you need help, check with your real estate agent.
6. Mold. Check the bathroom and sink cabinets, as well as take a look around water pipes or drains. Look for small black or gray spots. You can also check the caulking around faucets as well as look for patches on the ceiling.
7. Water damage. A musty odor may be a sign of water damage. Be sure to check walls and ceilings for water lines, and look out for exposed piping in basements or laundry rooms to check for rust, water stains or leaks.
8. Improper ventilation. Poor ventilation increases the risk of mold. Look for condensation on windows or slightly bubbled or peeling paint around windows, doors or vents. This might mean there’s moisture in the walls or in the ceiling drywall.

Here are some key criteria to consider when buying a home:

• Price. What can you afford to spend on a property? The preapproval letter from your lender will include the maximum loan amount you qualify for. Consider your down payment amount and what you can afford in monthly mortgage payments coupled with recurring debts and household expenses (like daycare, groceries, utilities, tuition, etc.). You’ll also want to have savings set aside for home maintenance and major repairs.
• Location. The neighborhood, city, town or state you want to live in is almost as important as a home’s amenities. Do you care about peace and quiet, or proximity to recreation or entertainment? What about being close to shopping, dining, grocery stores, schools and job hubs?
• Commute time. How long would your commute to and from work and/or school be? Will you have easy access to public transportation and how important is that for your day-to-day needs?
• Schools. If you have or plan to have children, you’ll want to research the quality of the schools a home is zoned for. Pay attention to school ratings, test scores, teacher-to-student ratios and other success metrics to evaluate schools and school districts in the areas where you’re looking for a home.
• Home type. Owning a single-family home tends to come with higher upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities than buying a condo or townhome. Condos and townhomes tend to be smaller and less expensive. However, you’ll likely pay higher monthly homeowners association or condo fees for shared amenities, services and maintenance.
• Design and upgrades. A new construction home is brand new, energy-efficient and can be tailored to your design tastes. The same goes for a flipped home, which is a property that is bought, fixed up and resold in a short timeframe. With a flipped home, you won’t have a say in design elements, but you’ll likely pay more than an existing home because it’s been upgraded. Or you can buy an existing home that may need to be updated but the price might be lower.
• Condition. Some properties may need minor cosmetic repairs like new paint and carpet, while others need significant renovations or require you to replace major costly systems. Do you have the extra cash, time and energy to account for a house that’s not move-in ready?
• Space. Consider how many bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and other spaces you may need. Do you want a large kitchen or a specific number of bedrooms to accommodate a growing family? Does the property check off all of the boxes right now—or does it have the potential to add those spaces in the future?
• Energy efficiency. Utility bills can impact your monthly budget. How’s the property’s energy performance? What would need to be done to improve it? Are the appliances, windows and other structures energy-efficient? What direction does the home face and how does that impact energy usage?
• Square footage. How big does the home need to be to match your lifestyle, family and storage needs? Keep in mind the larger the home/property acreage, the higher your costs to maintain it. A larger home also means you’ll pay a higher purchase price.
• Parking. Do you want a garage/off-street parking, or are you okay with parking your vehicle on the street? Do you need other outdoor storage spaces for a boat or RV?
• Property additions. Do you want a property with the interior or exterior space to extend the property or convert the loft or garage into an additional room? Is there a basement space you could finish down the road to add to your livable square footage?
• Outside space. Do you want a garden, patio or back deck? How much maintenance are you able and willing to do? If you’re buying a townhome or condo, will you have access to any private outdoor spaces, or are they shared with other residents?
• Historical district. Check if the home is located within a historic district. This might impact your ability to extend the property or make changes to its exterior.
• Potential drawbacks. Is the property on a busy road, next to a highway or railway track, in a food desert or in a high-crime area? Decide what issues you are willing to live with before you buy. These properties may also take longer to resell and be harder to rent out.