We’ve seen a few homes in our neighborhood go on the market this spring, and chances are you have, too.
The spring real estate market is heating up, and you may see more competition for homes.
You already know that you should make sure your credit score and income are solid, and you should talk to someone at CommonWealth One about a mortgage.
But any realtor or home inspector will tell you that when you’re looking at a home, you’ll want to keep these “red flag” issues in mind.
Look for foundation issues. In any house, you’ll want to take a close look at the foundation, particularly if there are any cracks, water intrusion or even exterior landscaping that could affect the integrity of the foundation. You’ll want to make sure the floors are even and there are no sagging ceilings. Foundation repairs are very, very expensive, and they could affect your ability to move in.
Take a good sniff. Make sure you check out the house you’re considering buying a day or two after a rainstorm. Does the basement, attic or a closet smell weird? Any moldy, musty or damp smells can indicate problems that will need to be corrected.
Check for permits. If you’re looking at a home that was recently remodeled, you’ll want to ask for records from your city or county, particularly regarding permits and inspections during the remodeling process. Homes that were remodeled without permits and proper inspections can have problems that might not be immediately visible.
Lights, outlets and appliances. Are lights flickering when you turn them on? Do some of the outlets not work? Either of these could be signs of an electrical issue. Are all the appliances working properly? Are they old and in need of replacement soon? You’ll want to know before you buy.
Check for pests. While some pests might be visible, others are not. Get a pest control expert to check for signs of mice or bugs, and any hidden damage from squirrels or raccoons. Termite damage especially may not be immediately visible to the untrained eye!
Hot rooms, cold closets. When you’re walking around a home, check for any rooms or closets that are particularly warm or cold. Those areas won’t be as obvious in the moderate temperatures we have now, but they will be very obvious (and annoying) in the summer or winter. Make sure all the vents are working and find out now if you’ll need to spend money on insulation or other energy efficiency measures to make the home comfortable.
Talk to the neighbors. You might want to ask the neighbors a few questions about the home you’re considering moving into. Have they had any major maintenance issues with their own home (probably built around the same time)? Does it seem like the sellers have taken care of the property? Is the area safe? Is there a homeowners’ association (HOA), and what has their experience been with it? Neighbors can give you some critical insight that you might not be able to get from anyone else.
Remember, we’re going to be here for you, for life. That includes not only helping you find a mortgage at a great rate and helping you find a qualified realtor but also helping you with a home equity loan or line of credit for repairs and other needs in the future.
We wish you the best with your house hunt this spring!
