Factors That Are Often Overlooked When Buying A Home

When buying a home, most people know to look for location, number of bedrooms, proximity to schools and work, and the possible need for repairs or improvements. However, there are a few important factors that many don’t think of when house hunting.1. Water.

Most home buyers do not even consider water quality when home searching unless it is brought up in the inspection. But if your future home has issues with hard water, this could dull your clothes when you wash them, irritate your skin, and cause calcium buildup in your washer, dryer, dishwasher, and faucets. Be sure to have your water tested so you can avoid expensive repairs in the future.

2. Cell phone reception.

When you’re walking through an open house, pull out your phone and check the reception. There are a lot of dead spots  across the country and you want to make sure that the place you live isn’t one of those spots. If you are set on a home but it doesn’t get good reception, you can get a cell reception booster so that you can still make calls.

3. Lead and other health risks.

Years ago, materials such as lead and asbestos insulation were commonly used in the home building process because people didn’t know how dangerous they were. So, when you are looking at homes, be sure to ask if there are any known health risks associated with the home, and get an inspection to double check. If there are risks, you can either fix them or simply look for a healthier home if there are too many issues.

4. Slope.

Take a walk around the house. Is there a slope to the property? Check to see if a certain part of the house is placed on a dip or slope and remember that when it rains, the water will settle at the lowest point of the property. This could cause flooding, dampness, or possible foundation damage in the future. This problem can be fixed with some landscaping, but it may be a better choice to look a home on higher ground.

Hopefully you will remember some of these tips when looking at homes in the future! For even more information, speak with your real estate professional and be sure you do your research and ask relevant questions when you are looking at homes.