What To Look For When Buying A New Home
Buying a new house is an exciting time. It’s your family’s chance at a fresh start. It makes sense you want it all to go smoothly. The toughest part is actually shopping for your new space. Your house isn’t going to magically appear. You have to put in the hard work to find the right one.
Many people aren’t sure what to look for when shopping around for a place to live. It’s important you make a list of must-haves and areas where you’re willing to bend. This will help you when you’re out and about searching for the one. If you aren’t sure where to start, it’s important you learn. See what to look for when buying a new home. 
Bathrooms
Take a close look at the bathrooms in the house. Count how many full and half baths there are compared to the amount of people who will be living in the home. You don’t want to be fighting over bathroom space each morning when you’re trying to get out the door. Look at the sizes and determine if you think they’re doable. Investigate the master bedroom and check if there’s an attached bathroom or not. This may be a deal breaker for you. Look at the fixtures, floors, paint and plumbing. Get a good feel for what it’d be like to use each of the bathrooms. Inspect the showers and make sure they’re what you want. Bathrooms are typically very important to most homeowners. It’s one of the main reasons someone either buys or walks away from a property.
Bedrooms
The bedrooms are also a critical part of the home. It’s where you spend a lot of time, and you want to make sure they’re comfortable and cozy. Confirm there are how many bedrooms they say there are and that they’re actually rooms and not closets. Think about if anyone will have to share rooms or if there are enough to go around. Decide if you like the location of the bedrooms and the distance apart from each other. Some homeowners are set on living upstairs where others don’t care if they’re on the ground-level. Scope out the master bedroom and see if it’s up to your standards. Look at the floors, dimensions and if it has a master bathroom. Think about the noise level for sleeping and if you could see yourself living in the space.
Kitchen
It’s usually essential you love the kitchen in your new home, or that you’re willing to upgrade it if it’s not quite to where you want it. This includes checking out the floors, cabinets, walls and countertops. Picture yourself cooking and hanging out in the space. See if there’s enough room to maneuver and what the storage is like in the room. You want to make sure all of your belongings fit and that it’s big enough if you’re someone you enjoys cooking. Remember that paint has the ability to transform a room if the rest of it is in good shape. Be honest about the shape of the room and if it’s suitable for you overall. It’s a tough decision, but better to be honest than regret your purchase down the road.
What you Can’t See
You can’t see it all when going through a new home. That’s why it’s important to hire an inspector after you’ve placed an offer. They’ll search every corner, crawl through attics and let you know what items may need to be replaced now and in the future. Another area to be concerned about is pests. Do your best to find out if the previous owners have had any issues. It’s not the end of the world if you move in and run into problems. That’s the time you should hire Go Forth Pest Control and have their technicians come check out the place. They assist with pests, termites, lawn care, bed bug control and much more. You can’t always see these problem areas until they fully emerge. Don’t panic if this is your situation. Call the experts and they’ll be happy to come out and get you your house back.
Living Space
Confirm the entire square footage and see if it’s enough living space for you and your family. Walk the property and make sure it feels big enough. Picture moving in all of your belongings and furniture and envisioning where it’ll all go. Don’t just take someone’s word for how big it is, go to the home and feel it out for yourself. Check out the basement, living rooms and any extra spaces the home provides. Look at the garage and outside too. Homes are much cozier once people and items are roaming around. Visit several homes that are different sizes and determine which you like best. See if there’s room to build a sunroom or expand the kitchen if you love it but want more space.
Yard
Don’t forget to walk around the yard when you’re touring properties. The inside is important, but so is your outdoor space. The amount that’s acceptable to you will depend on your personal preferences and how often you’re spending time outside. Look at the backyard and see if there’s a deck or patio for relaxing and grilling. Ask if there’s a shed or extra storage options in the backyard. Consider the yard as a whole and determine if it’s a space you want to have to maintain. Think about the landscaping requirements and if that’s a project you enjoy doing or would need to spend money hiring a service. Take into consideration all of these elements as you’re weighing your options. Go out front and see if you like the curb appeal of the home or if it looks like you’re going to get stuck with a lot of extra work.
Windows
Inspect the windows for quantity and quality. Visit the home at different times of the day to make sure it gets enough natural light for you. See which rooms have windows and where you think they’re lacking. Look for window treatments and how old the windows are so you can determine how much you might have to spend once you move in. These are all questions that are important to ask when you’re touring the home. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but it will once you’re moved in wanting more light and complaining about spending money on replacing your windows. At least know what you’re in for before making a purchase.
Required Updates
Understand what updates are going to need to be made before you move in. Take note of the parts of the home where you know you’ll be investing time and money. Realize what shape the home is currently in and where you’re going to be having to make updates once you move in. Consider structural and cosmetic improvements. You need to budget for these changes and be prepared to spend the cash after you move in. This is where your inspector can help and give you a good idea of what these updates will entail. It’s better to know it all before you make a deal and give yourselves the chance to walk away.
Roof
Look up when you arrive at the house and take a lap outside. Ask how old the roof is and know if it needs to be replaced or repaired. A new roof is a large financial undertaking and one you don’t want to be surprised with down the road. Understand what you’re getting into before you sign on the dotted line. Verify the material and if it’s a roof that’s likely to stand up against wind and hail. Roofs are funny because you can’t always see the damage or wear and tear. It’s a good idea to get the hard facts and make a note of it as you’re visiting various properties.
Neighborhood
Don’t assume the neighborhood is good because it looks nice. Research the schools, location and rating online. Ask around and get an idea from other people in the vicinity how they like living in the area. If you have kids, see if there are places to play and sidewalks to use. As an adult, determine what type of neighborhood you want to be in and if it fits your checklist. Look and drive around and see what type of activities, playgrounds or shopping is in the area. Spend some time in the neighborhood before committing to the home. It’s a big decision, so it may take you awhile to come to the right conclusion.
Conclusion
Finding a new place to live isn’t an easy task. While it’s fun and exciting, it’s also draining. Help yourself out by knowing what to ask and keeping notes of all your findings. Determine your deal breakers well ahead of time, but also stay open-minded and remain flexible in your search. Understand the time and effort you’ll need to put in to make the right decision. This is what to look for when buying a new home.
