When starting your search for a new home, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement
and miss out on some key factors that can help you make a wise decision. Strategic and stylish
staging definitely gives potential buyers ideas on how to design the house themselves and give
much needed life to a completely vacant home. As a Realtor I often encourage my Sellers to
spend the extra time and/or money to do so. And while it may not be intentional whatsoever,
buyers beware – it may also distract you from seeing potential flaws.
To help you out in your house hunt, I’ve compiled my list of the top 7 things buyers should look
out for when purchasing a new home.
One: Structure, foundation and flooring
Too often buyers get caught up on the cosmetics of a house. Things such as paint color can be fixed at a relatively low cost, but things such as structural damage may be a more difficult expense for new homeowners to cover. It is very normal for a home to have natural settlement cracking. However, keep an eye out for big cracks, especially near areas that are more likely to start to bow away from the rest of the house (i.e. bay windows).
Two: Roof damage
When first looking at a potential new home, one of the first things you should take a look at is what kind of condition the roof is in. You can get a general idea looking from the street. Is the color completely faded out and you see a lot of missing shingles? Do you see a lot of patch work? During your home inspection you will get a roof certification and wind mitigation which will give you more detailed information. But, initially look to see if it is newer?
Is there noticeable damage? Also try to gauge what type of material the roof is made of as different material have average life expectancies; new roofs will typically have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, but that is dependent on what kind of materials were used. While tiled roofs might have a 35 to 50-year life expectancy. Metal roofs will vary too.
Three: Storage Space
Take some time to really think about how much storage space you will actually need for everything you will be bringing with you when you move. Are there enough kitchen cabinets for all your cookware and dishes? Is there ample closet space where you feel you will need it most.
There are many pieces of furniture that have multipurpose features to add storage to any room. Also, if you are going to update a kitchen it is smart to take all of those cabinets and fix them into the garage. How much storage space a property has is often overlooked, but is definitely one of the most important assets in a potential new home.
Four: Location
With regards to this aspect I feel it has two points about location. The first being the geographical location to everything you need. If you are looking at a house in person, then you are obviously aware of the location since you had to get there somehow. But if you are browsing properties online – especially a new state – be very mindful of where the house is located. Is it in the right school district?
Do you need private or special needs school? How far are you from friends and family? How far are you from your preferred grocery store? Take the time to spend a few days in the area to make sure everyday life is as simple as possible for you.
The second point though is the aesthetically pleasing location. To each one of my Buyer’s I always ask them this question, “Will this home and location make your heart smile every day when you leave for work and every night when you come home?” Honestly, the answer should be yes.
Five: Laundry room location
Laundry might be the last thing on your mind when you are out and about looking at possible new homes. But, seeing as the laundry room is one of the busiest rooms in the house, it should be something to consider. Everyone has a personal preference of where they may want their laundry room. According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 37% of new home buyers prefer the laundry room be located near the bedrooms. But, maybe you prefer to
have your laundry room near your kitchen, or in the basement. In addition to the location of the laundry, something else to consider when you are house-hunting is whether or not the laundry room can possibly serve multiple functions for you and your family. For example, could it also double as a mud room?
Six: General flow of house
As you are walking through potential homes, think about how you spend your days and move throughout your current house. Do you have little kids that you want to be able to see while preparing dinner? Then an open concept may be for you. Do you have older kids that need their own hang out space? Then maybe you need a traditional layout were the rooms are separated.
Do you need a private room to study, ready or practice yoga? If so, you’ll want to consider the times of day you’ll use that room and how it lines up with the rest of the family.
You know what is best for you and your family; and, if you are moving out of a house and in to something new, you probably have a good idea of what worked and what didn’t work in your old home. When looking at potential new homes, be sure to have a checklist – whether it be a mental list or something you write down – so that you can stay mindful of what it is you really need in your new home. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy your search for a new home!
