Buying a house is exciting, but it is also an incredibly stressful and taxing move, especially making your way through all that paperwork managing any hoops and loops along the way. Imagine doing all that and moving into your new house full of excitement and wonder, only to discover a leaking roof.
Even if you have done your best to ensure quality and check any major problems, chances are that there will be problems that need addressing with several years. To avoid such a situation, we have compiled a list of basics to check when buying a new house, making the entire process painless and fool-proof.
Check if the Roof needs Repair
Always, and we mean always check the top before you inspect the bottom. This golden rule will save you time, money and any potential disappointments in the future. Check thoroughly for any cracks, leaks or rough patches in the roof that might appear new and polished but might cave in at any moment. Décor and design elements are often used to hide major flaws within the structure and the foundations of the house; thus, it is critical to ensure the quality and resilience of the roof.
In addition to this, it is useful to educate yourself in how the overall quality of the roof and foundations can affect insurance policies. A new roof could mean a lower homeowners insurance rates. A roof constructed with especially sturdy material is equipped to defend against storms, wind and rough climate and will save any future costs for repairing and maintenance.
Inspect any Exterior Cracks and Tilts
Often times when you are inspecting a house, you might be too consumed with the overpowering smell of floor varnish and new paint, and forget to pay attention to the exterior of the building. Small cracks and tilts are likely to be connected to more serious foundation issues that require immediate attention. Owners and real estate agents use various techniques to hide any apparent surface flaws, including coating the walls with layers of thick paint or filling in gaping holes with plaster or low quality, cheap filling. Thus, it is vital to inspect any signs of decay, cracking or chipping which might incur additional costs and create inconvenience.
Check Water Damages Concealed with Paint
As mentioned above, real estate agents may resort to a variety of ways to conceal apparent blemishes and defects. Concealing internal water damage with layers of paint is particularly dangerous as it traps moisture within the walls resulting in mould growing within the foundations and veins of your house. It is also a health hazard that costs a fortune and takes a long period of time to eliminate. Calling in an emergency plumber sutherland shire for inspection can help.
A method of prevention is looking closely and carefully at the underside of sinks, drawers and the back of closets and cupboards in the kitchen. You might also want to examine the base of tubs, toilets and window sills which is where moisture piles up the most. Take every precaution when reviewing houses and scrutinize every corner where you might suspect crusted paint chipping off as that is a likely spot for moisture build-up
Sellers Offering Incentives to Waive Inspection
Before you seal the deal, another basic to check before investing in a house is if sellers are providing incentives to waive inspection. This is a clear red flag and you should insist on inspecting, even at the cost of a particularly advantageous incentive. There is absolutely no reason to waive inspection when purchasing your future abode and such an offer only points to major flaws in the construction and overall foundation of the building. You can also use this to your advantage, and it is to your leverage to negotiate for a lower price or refuse the deal altogether.
Conclusion
Buying a house can be a terrifying prospect but by keeping these helpful tips in mind, you can easily manoeuvre your way through the otherwise tedious process. This is a lifetime investment and thus it is crucial to check for any errors or potential frauds which may result in added expenses and a great deal of disappointment.