Always Look for These Problems and Issues Before Purchasing a New Home

Have you ever looked at the pictures of a house online only to view it in person and wonder if it’s the same house at all? Pictures can be deceiving, and they can certainly make a house look cleaner, newer, and more appealing than it is.

Similarly, a house can look great during a viewing to an untrained eye, but if you know what to look for, you might find that the house has problems and issues beyond what you're willing to tackle. Here are some of the major problems you might encounter during your search for a new home, and issues to look out for that could break a deal.

Find Hidden Problems with a Home Inspection

The home inspection is always like the big reveal that you expect to see at the end of a makeover show because it can expose a house in a whole new light. For example, that house you at first thought was your dream home may end up being a money pit that you run from like a haunted nightmare house.

In an ideal situation, the home inspection won’t turn up any worrisome details about the house, but regardless of the outcome, you'll get valuable information regarding the state of the:

1. Roof

2. Appliances

3. Plumbing

4. Electrical

5. Foundation

6. Structure

7. Garage

8. Fire safety

Inspection advice: Being present for the home inspection is beneficial to you in a number of ways. For one, the inspector can explain findings, answer questions, and give you a better understanding of the types of repairs and maintenance you should expect to do when you live in the house.

A Lack of Insulation

Did you know that a poorly insulated house can let almost 50 percent of the heat pass through the walls and attic?

And can you imagine paying twice as much on your energy bills to cool and heat a home that wasn’t properly insulated?

Most homeowners agree that energy costs are too high as it is without having to pay to compensate for poor insulation, so make sure you check the insulation style and levels throughout the house. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation, and the more insulation there is throughout the house, the quieter and more comfortable it’ll be.

Check Switches to Discover Problems with Lights and Cooling

You all know how hot the summers can get down here in Debary, FL, so you also know how important it is to have a working air conditioner during these months.

In order to be certain that a prospective home has a working Air Conditioner that’s in good shape, flip the switch, turn it on, and make sure it efficiently and quickly cools the home to a temperature that'll be comfortable during the hottest time of the year.

Similarly, flip light and fan switches to make sure there aren't any burnt out bulbs, electrical problems, or broken ceiling fans. Otherwise, you might not notice these details until it’s too late.

The home inspection will give you a better understanding of the state of the lighting and fans in the house, but a preliminary test during the showing is a good place to start. Being aware of the common issues people face when buying a home can prevent you from getting stuck with a fixer-upper when what you wanted was a turnkey operation.

Most importantly, check the insulation levels, make sure the lights, fans, and HVAC system work, and if the house passes muster, don’t forget to hire a home inspector to do a thorough review of the entire house.