Searching for a new home to move into can be stressful, so when you find one you like it’s important to know what to check for before making an offer. See below our “New Home Checklist” to help ensure that the home you like is the best for your safety, health and lifestyle.
1. Roof Age – Replacing a roof can be expensive and a life expectancy of a roof is only 15-20 years. Inspect the roof before you consider purchasing a home. Look at the material on the sealing and check for loose or broken shingles.
2. Cracked paint – Inspect the window frames on a potential home for cracked paint. The condition of the external window frames can be used as a basis for how the rest of the home is taken care of. If you can easily push your finger into the wooden window frame, they are usually rotten. Replacing windows can be costly so you should try to avoid it at all costs.
3. Storage – Whether you’re downsizing or upscaling, storage space is imperative. Check the closet space. The last thing you need is to move into a new home and have no place to put your vacuum cleaner.
4. Dampness – While inspecting a home, check for moldy smells, flaky plaster and watermarks. If you see any signs of these, there’s a really good chance the house is subject to dampness. This can lead to major foundation problems that would cost thousands of dollars to repair.
5. Plumbing – Turn on the taps to check the water pressure. Ask if the pipes are insulated, and ensure they are not lead. If they are, they will need to be replaced. Check the position of the hot water tank. If it’s situated in the roof it is probably an old one and may have to be replaced soon.
6. Gutter Condition – Make sure your new home has gutters that are in good condition and not clogged. Neglected gutters can lead to expensive foundation damage. If there are no gutters on the home, it’s imperative to get some once you move in. You can even utilize gutter guards like Leaf Filter to help tremendously with the maintenance once you move in.
7. Surrounding area – Just because you find your dream home, it might not be in your dream location. When searching for a new home drive around the surrounding area. How far away are you from the grocery store? Is there a train nearby or a highway? When choosing a home, you want to make sure the surrounding area is something you can live with.
8. Drainage – Check the basement and garage to make sure there are drains in useful locations. If there are no drains in your basement, that’s a huge red flag. Drains help keep the foundation of your home in tact and prevent water damage from occurring.
It’s hard to know what type of upkeep has really happened to a potential home, but knowing what to look for can ease your process.
At North Eastern Group Realty, we are prepared to assist our clients with their significant Fort Wayne real estate decisions. Our corporate commitment is to provide real knowledge, proven experience and professional, quality service. To search all Fort Wayne homes for sale or find a Fort Wayne REALTOR®, visit our website at NorthEasternGroup.com.
North Eastern Group Realty is Fort Wayne’s largest independent real estate company located at 10808 La Cabreah Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.
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