Buyer’s Checklist to Avoid Gotcha’s!
Inspectors will provide a lot of basics that protect you from basic problems & the current assessment of the home’s current state of construction, or declaration of recent repairs.
While all homes have standard issue problems, you want to make your purchase about what you can live with, or at least what you can resell without major problems down the road.
But, as a buyer, you can stop buyer’s remorse, and prevent a great deal of ongoing stress, worry, financial losses, logistical and maintenance headaches, by considering the following list.
Determine how important each of these factors is to you, when you assess and perform the true appraisal of a home and property – which is how it counts for you!
What can you live with? What do you really want? What can you reasonably expect?
Can You Be Happy in the House location, location, location? What is a good location to you?
* Safe Neighborhood? Crime watch posters up everywhere? Near a highway?
* Near good schools?
* Is the house on a flood plane or safe from flooding when it rains?
* Ensure adequate drainage system is in place. Look for signs of water damage on perimeter fencing, sides of house, or dirt where grass should grow in yard.
* Is the home in a local airport flight path? Often, buyers see the inside of a home; talk to agents, but
don’t notice – the peace; quiet they envision
* Privacy! – Do 4 houses in the subdivision look in on your back windows? Can you live with 4
neighbors being able to see into your home
* Does your long-awaited for private office look out on privacy, or a neighbor constantly staring at you?
* Think Hard about House Orientation! Sunlight. Does the sun come into the house; naturally light, heat it from East;West,or if is the house facing North; South – preventing much natural light from
entering,heating the home; providing natural Vitamin D.
* How close are the houses property lines set apart – 12 feet? 20 feet?
Can You Live with the Traffic?
* On a Through-Streets vs. protected from traffic in a neighborhood.
* Easy access to local commercial centers for coffee, restaurants, dry cleaners, gas stations, etc.
* Easy access to Interstates.
* How long is your commute to work? Will any upcoming highway/Interstate improvement constructions Change
traffic jams or flow patterns? Example: A new mall being constructed nearby will soon add 20 minutes to your
commute every day!
How to Read a Neighborhood for Safety & Lifestyle – Walk the Neighborhood afternoons, evenings, & weekends!
* What type of cars do all your neighbors have?
* Are there lots of people who use lawn services, or un-kept lawns?
* Are there sidewalks for kids; exercise? Do lots of neighbors block your street by parking cars in the street because their garages are full.
* Talk to a few neighbors
* HOAs – what are the HOA rules? Any complaints on the HOA website?
* Pets – Are there barking dogs within 1 block of your house? Are there Pit Bulls. Are leash laws observed? Are there dog baggy stations, or do neighbors just let their dogs poop in nearby fields where your
kids will play?
Unexpected Costly House Repairs
Most of these items will be check by your home inspector. Do not be afraid to give him/her a list of items you want to make sure they look at. This is a big purchase and you want to have that piece of mind.
* HVAC – Any gas leaks? Ask! Have inspector sniff in all gas related walls. If you find a gas leak 6 months after buying, it could cost you Thousands of dollars to repair, up to ripping out walls to find a gas leak.
* Look for how pipes are built into house walls from outside. Home Warranties do NOT usually cover gas pipe problems Outside the home.
* Roof – Check all Dormers, Tiles, Siding, etc. for signs of rot, or unlawful entry by squirrels who have used your attic or birds for nests – that your sellers haven’t told you about as a seasonal problem.
* How old is the roof? When will it need repairs or replacing?
* Foundation Cracks – check driveways for cracks you can live with, or cracks that will need repair before you
sell in years to come, from erosion (see flood plane question above).
* Trees; Shrubs – Are there trees; shrubs that constantly rub against the house, or will need any Costly removal to avoid damage in wind, storms.
* Gutters – are they new, clogged? Will they need repairs soon?
* Attic – inspector should not only check all HVAC, but also, signs of animals from bunched up insulation, or holes in the edges of ventilation at roof edges.
Inside the Home
* Look for Wear Patterns? Carpets, Walls, counters.
* Where will your young children constantly bang into walls; chip away the plaster?
* Are there lots of holes in plaster?
* Open; shut ALL close, kitchen, bedroom doors for signs of warping, or inability to close fully? Little
things like this will drive you CRAZY!
* Are there any door frames that are cracking, splitting inside the frame you don’t notice on a Walkabout?
* Have any car doors gouged out holes in the garage dry wall from repeated opening; banging them into the walls?
* Will your car fit in the garage so you can get out of the car seats w/o constant contortions to exit 4 times a day?
* How loud is the air conditioner; heater when on? You will have to live with these noises 24/7/365!
Don’t underestimate their impact on your serenity!
This is a lengthy list, and some of these items will not matter. But, some may be things you did not think about. Ask a many questions as you want. Also, know that no house is completely perfect. Our goal is to find the house that is close as it can be. What can you live with and what can’t you live without. Keep in mind, that sometimes these choices change as you start looking at houses. This is an exciting time-enjoy the process.