Hidden issues are the last thing you want to stumble on after you’ve bought a new house. That’s why no competent first time home buyer advice list should miss those indicators that tell you the place you’re looking at has been properly looked after and maintained. There’s always enough to do when you’re a new home owner—playing catch-up and trying to sort through other people’s negligence shouldn’t be on that list.
One of the best times to get a good look under the hood of that new home is during any open house you can go to. If you want to know how well the previous owners looked after the property, try to check these items off as you go through.
- Inside. It’s best to get the nuts and bolts out of the way first and that means checking into the plumbing and wiring. If you can find the inside water meter in the basement, check to see if the little red triangle is moving even when there’s no water running in the house. That will tell you if there’s a leak somewhere. As for the wiring, it’s best to be sure an older home has been updated at some point and still doesn’t have any knob and tube wiring left. Those older versions can actually be dangerous.
- Outside. Take a walk around the outside to make sure there are no cracks in the foundation. Beyond the obvious inconvenience of getting floods in the basement, these cracks can be symptoms of even bigger issues like a home that’s shifting. Take a good look at the shingles on the roof to see if they are cracked or warped and will soon need replacing.
Finally, make sure to check the floor around the tub and shower to see if there are any signs of mold and if the appliances are in good working order.
