Are you looking to move property and find your forever home? Before you make the big move, there are certain things that you should keep on a checklist whilst viewing properties. You want to get the best deal for your money, so it’s vital that you don’t overlook any major aspects of the home, because you might have fallen in love with its aesthetic appearance.
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Moving house is never easy. But it’s still important to know what you should look out for and any to point out any issues you might notice in properties before signing on the dotted line. To help make the process a little easier, here is a list of the top 5 things you should take notice of when buying a new home.
Are There Signs of Damp?
Unfortunately, damp can affect many homes – no matter where the property is located or how old it is. A problem that can have you banging your head against the wall to fix, it’s something that you should take notice of when looking for a new house.
The main giveaway signs of damp, is a musty smell, peeling wallpaper, cold walls/floors and discoloured patches on the walls. So when you notice any of these, it’s important that you enquire about them with the estate agent. A damp proofing course can set you back hundreds of pounds – therefore, you want to look for a property that’s free from it.
What’s the Condition of The Windows?
Windows are one of the most important things to look at when viewing homes. And if they are in bad condition, you’ll want to consider changing them as soon as you move in. If you don’t mind taking on the cost of the replacement, there are many companies offering this service, including Facelift for Homes.
But if you want to save some money beforehand and you really love the property, see if you can bring the asking price down by explaining to the seller the changes you will have to make to the home.
The State of the Bathroom and Kitchen
The bathroom and kitchen are often thought to be the most expensive rooms to renovate. So it’s worth looking for properties with a kitchen and bathroom that you love.
Of course, there are small changes you can make to the bathroom to make it more your style – such as adding different accessories/changing the shower door/curtain. But if you want to save money in the long term, it’s worth finding a house that already has a newer kitchen and bathroom from the outset.
The Size of The Rooms
This is often the stickler for many homeowners. If room size is at the forefront of your mind, don’t let it take a bottom priority when viewing houses. Think about how big you want the living room, spare room, kitchen, etc. and book in viewings of houses that match your vision.
Be careful not to discount too many houses because of this, however, as there are ways that you can expand the property in the future – such as adding an extension to the back of your house.
The State of The Roof
A roof is one of the most costly things to replace – so make sure that you check the state of it before investing all of your money in a house. To do this, you could ask to take a peek in the loft (if the property has one) to see if there are any signs of damage (i.e. holes in the roof) or invest in a full buildings survey.