WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A NEW HOUSE?
Shopping for a new home can be overwhelming. With such an expensive purchase and long-term commitment, you want to be certain you’re going to be satisfied!
Of course, choosing a home is a highly personal decision. As you think about the different aspects of a home, rank their level of importance to your needs and then decide which are negotiable and which are deal-breakers.
If you haven’t already, you should determine how much you can afford and what kind of area you’d like to live in (include neighborhood and school district in your decision) before you start seriously looking at houses.
Have you been thinking about buying a house but you don’t know where to start?
“How and when should I hire a Realtor?”
What should I look for when buying a new house?”
The list goes on... doesn’t it?
At Pivot Homes NW, we are here to lift some weight off your shoulders and assist you in the process from start to finish! Send us a message and let’s chat! We are looking forward to connecting with you!
1. House Size
You should have a general idea of what size of 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.
What size house you should buy will depend on your needs and your personal preferences. If you have a large family or plan on starting one soon, you’ll probably need to look at houses with more square footage as well as more bedrooms and bathrooms. On the other hand, if your household is just you or you and a partner, it may make more sense and be more affordable to look at smaller houses.
While one of the main upsides of having a larger house is that you have plenty of room for members of your household in addition to house guests, there are also many pros to having a smaller home. Small houses are easier and cheaper to furnish, which can be helpful if you’re just starting out. They also tend to be easier to keep clean and cheaper to maintain.
However, how small you can go before it goes from feeling cozy to cramped is also a matter of personal preference. It may be helpful to look at houses of various sizes to get a feel for what would work for you.
2. The Ideal Yard
Another matter of personal preference is what kind of yard you’d like. Do you want a lot of acreage and beautiful, low maintenance landscaping? Or would you prefer to avoid the responsibility that comes with having a big lawn? Maybe you want a home that sits back further from the road, providing a little more privacy.
You’ll also have to think about what kind of features you want in the 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. For some home buyers, these are attractive and useful features.
For others, they signal liability, expense and time commitment. Alternatively, if a backyard doesn’t currently have the features you want, is it suited to have those features added after you move in?
When considering what sort of yard would be good for you, think about lot size, maintenance requirements, how much it’ll cost to maintain and what features you’d like in both the front and back.
3. The House’s Exterior
Don’t let your excitement about a perfect interior make you forget the importance of a sturdy exterior.
Your main line of defense against buying a home with a deteriorating exterior will be your home inspection, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for red flags whether on your own time or by leaning on a trusted real estate agent.
Here are some of the main exterior components you should be sure to check out when viewing a house:
Roof: This is a big one, as a new roof can cost $5,000 – $15,000 or more. Be sure to give the roof (or what you can see of it) a once-over, looking for any signs of damage. You may also want to ask how old the roof is, although you don’t necessarily need to be turned off by an older roof. A well-maintained, sturdy roof can last several decades depending on what it’s made of.
Foundation: Foundation problems can cause a lot of heartache in the form of thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to repair. To spot a bad foundation, keep an eye out for cracks in the walls (particularly those around doorways or windows). Doors and windows that stick or jam are another warning sign. Ultimately, you’ll want to get a professional to sign off on the state of homes’s foundation.
Siding: Check out the exterior walls for any obvious signs of damage or disrepair, including peeling paint, rotting wood, cracks or other signs of decay.
4. Bedrooms
Whether or not the house’s bedrooms are suitable for your needs will depend on what you plan on using them for. 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. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to what best fits your needs.
Again, the size and number of bedrooms are an important consideration. 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.
One seemingly small detail that can end up being a big deal is the number and location of electrical outlets. This is especially important if the natural or built-in light in a bedroom isn’t sufficient, as you’ll be plugging in at least one or two lamps.
5. Bathrooms
When you’re checking out the bathroom, make sure everything’s in working order:
With the seller’s or agent’s permission, flush the toilets, test the faucets and even turn on the shower.
Make sure the fan works.
Look under the sink and around the toilet for leaks and water damage.
Keep an eye out for mold.
It may seem a little overbearing, but if you’re seriously considering buying a house, you’ll want to make sure there are no surprises after you move in, such as low water pressure or plumbing problems.
Make note of what type of shower or tub each bathroom has, too. Is it just a shower, or is it a shower and bathtub combo? Does it have glass doors or a curtain? Is the bathtub made of porcelain or plastic? Bathroom renovations can be costly, so make sure you’re either happy with the bathrooms as-is or prepared to pay for improvements down the line.
6. Living Room
What are you looking for in a living room? Do you want it to feel cozy and warm or chic and modern? Keep your ideas in mind when looking at the living room but try not to let any current decor sway you. Instead, look at the basic layout and style of the room. Does it fit your taste? Could you see yourself relaxing in this space?
If you already have furniture that you plan on moving into your new home, how well do you see it blending with the style of the room? Buying new furniture isn’t as expensive as purchasing a house, but it isn’t cheap, either.
Consider the layout of the room as well as the location of any wall outlets. Are there electrical and cable outlets near where you may want to put a TV? Is the room large enough for your needs? Do you want a carpeted living room for your kids to comfortably play in?
7. Heating And Cooling Systems
Unless you work in HVAC, you probably aren’t an expert in evaluating the condition of a home’s heating and cooling systems. There are some basic questions that impact your day-to-day life that you’ll want answered.
Find out what type of heating and cooling system the house has. There are several different types of systems that control the temperature of your home, each with its own pros and cons.
What kind of heating does the house have? Is it a forced air system powered by a furnace? Does the furnace use electricity or gas, or does the house use something else entirely? Older homes might have a boiler and radiator system or a baseboard heater that uses electricity.
What about a cooling system? Central air conditioning systems (where cool air is distributed evenly throughout your house via the house’s air ducts) are very popular, especially in areas that experience hot summers. A common alternative to central air conditioning is an AC unit that’s mounted on windows or through walls. Instead of distributing air through ducts, these units blow cool air directly into the room in which they’re located.
Be sure to find a house that uses heating and cooling systems you’ll be happy with. Otherwise, make sure you understand what would be required to have a different system installed. Not only can the installation of a new system be costly, but if you’re going from a ductless system to one that uses air ducts, there needs to be enough space within your walls to install it.
8. Basement
When viewing the basement, make a note of whether it’s finished or remodeled. Some people prefer a finished basement for added living space, andd basement remodels can be costly.
Keep an eye out for signs of water damage, take note of any musty smells and look for water stains or mold growth. You should also consider having a radon test done as part of your home inspection, because basements in some areas exceed the maximum radon levels outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency.
If the basement is finished and you plan on spending a lot of time in it, pay attention to how much lighting it has. It should also have at least one accessible door or window in case you need to get out quickly in an emergency.
9. Attic
If you get the chance to peek into the attic yourself, look for signs of leaks and damage to the roof’s structure. Be on the lookout for animal droppings as well, since that could indicate an infestation you need to worry about. Rodents in your attic can cause a lot of damage.
Also take note of the attic’s ventilation and insulation. What kind of insulation is it? Does it appear wet or water stained? If so, be sure to mention them to your home inspector.
10. Garage
If you have more than one car or plan on using it for an additional purpose outside of parking, you might want a multiple-car garage. Make a note of the total amount of parking space the lot has, including the length and width of the driveway and if there’s street parking available.
You may also want to ask yourself some of the following questions:
Is the garage attached or separate from the house?
Do you need room to store and organize your stuff or a spot for a workbench?
How much garage space do you need?
When leaving, ensure that the garage door works well and appears to be in good condition.
Other Things To Look For When Buying A House
After checking out all of the above aspects of the houses you’re interested in, and in addition to general house hunting etiquette it’s important to keep a few other things in mind:
Budget
First and foremost, buyers should be realistic about how much house they can afford. Even if a property seems like your dream home and checks the biggest boxes on your list, it still needs to fit within the range of what you are approved for.
Commute
For a lot of home buyers, the length of the drive from their new home to their workplace can be a big consideration. If you’re purchasing the home with a spouse or partner and you both have separate offices to drive to, it may be wise to have a discussion about your commutes.
Neighborhood Safety
As you begin to narrow down your house hunt, make sure the area where a potential house is located is safe, especially if you’re moving with children or planning to have kids. As part of your search, check local crime rates to ensure that you and your family will feel comfortable and at ease in your new home.
Many neighborhoods have things like Facebook groups you can inspect to get a feel for the area. If you’re serious, spend some time in the area. Go for a walk down the street. Check out local businesses and get feel for what it’s like to live in the area.
Local Public Schools
The quality of the public education system in the area where you’re looking at properties can say a lot about the overall quality of life in that area. Regardless of whether you have school-aged children, it’s useful to explore local statistics from public schools and take your findings into consideration as you make a decision. Especially if you plan to eventually sell the home, being in a good school district can add value to your home.
Tip:
Ultimately, every house you look at will have pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide for yourself which aspects you can’t live without, which ones you can’t live with and which ones you’re willing to compromise on.
Keep in mind that, while it’s important to consider all the aspects we discussed when hunting for your dream home, no home is going to be without at least some faults. Even your dream home might need new appliances, a bathroom remodel or a new roof. Although the goal should be to find a house that satisfies most of your needs and some of your wants, no single home is going to check off all your boxes.
Buying a new home can seem overwhelming, but the whole process will be a lot more manageable if you know what to look for and what questions to ask. Are you just starting the home buying process? We’re happy to guide you through the process! #pivothomesnw