A Warning Checklist for Buying a Home

Buying a home is always exciting. This is true whether you are a first-time homebuyer or you have bought and sold multiple properties in the past. Of course, this will almost certainly be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. Thus, there are numerous things you must do and consider before finalizing your purchase.

Before you go any further, you’ll want to hire a qualified company like Domicile Consulting to perform a complete home inspection. Although they aren’t always required, a home inspection gives you the best opportunity to identify and address any potential issues, both large and small, a home may have before you close on it. To help make this process easier for you, we’ve compiled a warning checklist for buying a home.

Your Warning Checklist

Keep in mind that even a brand new home could have issues. Therefore, it is important to consider everything below, regardless of the age of the home.

Structural Issues

Take an in-depth look at the home, paying particular attention to:

• The condition of the roof and shingles, as well as any flashing, fascia (the board covering the ends of the rafters), gutters and downspouts
• The condition of the exterior siding and what it is made of
• The doors and windows, specifically how well they seal out the elements, how they open, ease of operation and whether or not screens are included
• The state of the garage and any outbuildings
• The condition of the interior walls
• What the flooring and subfloor is made of and what condition they are in

Evaluating the Interior

It’s a good idea to start with the ceiling and work your way down. Be sure to:

• Identify any signs of water damage, including mildew on the walls, brown or bubbling spots on the ceiling and patches that indicate a former leak
• Look for any indication of insects or vermin
• Question what has been used on the walls, noting if lead paint is present
• Test for radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas that can seep into a basement
• Test for carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can leave you extremely sick or even dead
• Assess the condition and age of any included appliances, as well as their ease of use
• Identify the electrical sockets to ensure they are working and also make certain there are no mystery switches, where nothing appears to happen when you flick the switch
• Question how much the electrical system can handle and whether circuit breakers or fuses are used
• Ask how old the water heater is and how long it takes hot water to reach the shower
• Turn on the faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms to assess the water pressure, whether or not there is any change in temperature when a toilet is flushed, how well the toilet flushes and how long it takes water to drain

A Look at the Exterior

After you’ve taken a good look at the home’s interior, take the time to head outside and:

• Identify the lot lines
• Assess the landscaping and whether or not you will need to work on it or have the skills to maintain it
• Check the condition of the driveway, walkways, deck, patio and any fences

There are so many things to evaluate when you are thinking about buying a home. Make this step of the process much easier and have confidence in the purchase by hiring someone to do a complete inspection for you. Contact Domicile Consulting today to schedule your home inspection.

Check out this free walk-through-checklist for a buyer’s last visit to the home before closing.