Investing in a new home is one of the most significant financial steps you will take in your lifetime. To ensure you feel completely confident in your investment, it’s essential to prevent unexpected, high-dollar costs after closing by knowing exactly what to look for before taking the plunge.
Before you fall in love with a property’s surface-level charm, make sure you use this vital checklist to inspect the home’s structure, systems, and mechanics. Download your free copy of 6 Things to Check Before Buying a Home to protect your hard-earned savings and buy with total peace of mind:
- 1. Date of Electrical Updates: Old or faulty wiring poses major safety concerns and structural hazards. Always ask the seller to provide documented proof of the dates of all electrical updates. Take time to personally inspect the quality of workmanship on the home’s main electrical panel, and bring a small device like a phone charger to test individual outlets throughout the property.
- 2. Date of Plumbing Updates: Outdated pipes can hide expensive disasters beneath the floors. Inquire about historical plumbing upgrades and systematically test every faucet, toilet, and shower in the house. Don’t forget to run plumbing-dependent appliances like the dishwasher and laundry machines, check utility sinks and outdoor spigots, and look closely under all sinks for hidden leaks, mold, or active water damage.
- 3. Date of Major Appliance Upgrades: Inheriting mechanical equipment that fails right after move-in is an immediate drain on your finances. Find out the exact installation dates for major home appliances. Thoroughly check the operating condition of the refrigerator, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and the washer and dryer units to ensure they are working as expected.
- 4. Any Reported Foundation Issues: Structural movement can compromise the integrity of the entire building. Investigate public records or seller disclosures for any past or present reported foundation issues. Keep an eye out for telltale warning signs during your walkthrough, such as sagging floors, unlevel ceilings, bowed walls, or musty basement smells.
- 5. Age of the Roof: The remaining lifespan of a roof depends entirely on its materials and current age, with any roof older than 25 years typically nearing the end of its utility. Carefully inspect the surface for cracked, buckling, or structurally damaged shingles. Look for loose shingle granules inside the gutters, check for moss, mold, or fungi growth, and watch out for a sagging roofline, which indicates advanced rot and a looming replacement cost.
- 6. Age of Windows & Window Updates: Windows do more than provide a visual component; they are critical to the building’s insulation envelope. Check the overall age of the windows and doors to see if any modern energy-efficient upgrades have been made. Physically open and close all windows, doors, and shutters to verify smooth functionality and check for drafts, as poor craftsmanship can drastically drive up your monthly heating and cooling costs.
A home is a major purchase, and you deserve to feel secure in your decision. If you have any questions or structural concerns about a property you are eyeing, give me a call today for expert advice and guidance through this exciting milestone!
Get Your FREE Home Value Update & Download the Guide
