You may have found a house that is in a suitable location, has a great price and comes with all your desired features. However, if you are not sure what to keep an eye out for during the open house inspection you could end up with a costly problem. Here is a checklist of what to look out for when going to an open home viewing.
Take a good look
Arm yourself with a notebook and a camera to remember the potential issues that come with the property. Know that you are armed, carefully inspect every aspect of the property. Open the cupboards, turn on the lights, taps, storage space, water pressure, open windows, smell the place for any dampness and more. Check to see if the physical condition of the house is up to standard to what you need. Remember to jot down and take pictures, especially if you are planning to view more than one house. It will come in handy later when you are comparing notes to choose.
Get a second opinion
Maybe you are not good at paying attention to the finer details of things or you are still looking at the property with rose tinted glasses. This is where it would be helpful to take an object friend or family member who will be able to view the property with you and point out areas in which you were not aware of. After all, this is a place you will be spending a lot of your time at. Try not to rush the process when walking around and inspecting the place.
Think outside of the house
You may have found a house that is sound, but is the neighbourhood also sound? This can play a vital role in the property’s value and your sanity. Is the area improving in value or are there things such as future developments that can drag the value down? A property that is close to public amenities such as shopping centres, transport, and other services is a definite winner. You can also check the noise levels surrounding the property at different times of the day. The last thing you want is a property that is next to a busy road, clubs, or airports.
Can you visualise yourself in the space?
When viewing the house, it is vital that you can visualise yourself in the space. If you are looking for a property that will be suitable for expanding a family, you need to keep that in mind when viewing. There is also such a thing as purchasing a house that has good energy in terms of having good lighting than to be stuck in a perpetual state of poorly lit rooms.
Check the structure of the house
It is important to have a budget set aside to handle the cost of purchasing a house so that you don’t strain your finances. This will come in handy when you are hiring a property inspector who will be able to check the structure of the house before you place your offer. This can give you peace of mind that you are making a sound investment instead of inheriting a house with problems.