When buying a new house it can not only be stressful but exciting. Sometimes with all of the stress and excitement you can forget to check for obvious flaws in the house. You should always check out the house you are buying thoroughly. The best thing to do is to have home inspector come in and check the house before buying it. Yes, it may cost about $250 but in the long run it’s worth it. Either it will save you a costly mistake or, you can sometimes get the buyer to fix flaws in order to sell the house. Before paying a home inspector to check out the house do so work yourself. That way, if it’s something that can easily be found it will help you to determine whether or not you would want to look into buying the house, in the long run saving you money for a home inspection if you decide that the damage is beyond your desire.
Roof
It doesn’t always take a carpenter or inspector to see damage on a roof. There are some things you can check for when buying a house to see if there are any obvious signs of roof damage. Go outside and look at the roof from all angles. If there are any sagging, swollen or obviously damaged areas you can bet yourself you will be replacing the roof with in two years, if not sooner.
Check the corners and the center peak. These are usually the first places you will be able to see rotting wood. Check to see if there are any missing shingles. If so, there may or may not be water damage. You will need to replace the missing shingles as soon as possible.
Plumbing
While you can’t go through and check every pipe, there are some things you can check for the first time you go to look at a new house. Be sure to check under all sinks. Open every cabinet door under the sinks and check for water damage. Be sure to look for fresh paint, mildew or any other signs of a previous leak. If it’s possible, turn on the water and let it run for a few seconds. Then check to see if there are any drips from the pipes.
If time and weather permits, be sure to go outside and check the outside water spigots. Check for leaks that may cause further damage or high water bills.
Showers and Tubs
Too frequently, some new home buyers forget to check the showers and tubs. Check to make sure that they are not cracked and are properly sealed. Be sure to step over into the tub. Feel for any soft spots that may be a sign of rotted floors. Check in the corners for any signs of leakage. When stepping out of the tub, check for a good seal along the floor where the tub intersects. If there is not a good seal there may be floor damage.
Check the Windows
Check all windows for leaks. Check the wall above and below the window. Look for any discoloration, swelling or cracking. If any of this is visible chances are that there is a leak or has been a leak. Either way there is damage. Also check the window ledge. Check to see if there are any signs of damage there. In the event that the window was left open during a storm that too, can cause serious damage that may not be obvious at first glance.
Foundation
One of the first things you want to check for is a good foundation. If the new home you are looking at is a house, is it on a concrete foundation? If the home is a mobile home, check to see if it too, is on a concrete foundation. Depending on your local code requirements it may or may not prevent you from getting a loan. Also, most mortgage companies require mobile homes to have some type of barrier to cover the under side of the home. Vinyl skirting is the most common. When the house inspection and the appraisal is done, the home will not pass the test if the skirting has any flaws. Small holes from lawn maintenance will not be allowed as it will not make the skirting rodent proof.
While these 5 things are very important and usually easy to find, sometimes you will need a professional inspector to find minor, interior, or covered damage. Checking for these 5 things is not all you need to determine if the house is safe and proficient. However, if you do find problems with these 5 things, and do not want to purchase the house, you have just saved your self a few hundred dollars for an inspector to come out and tell you the same thing. You should always have a home inspection done when buying a new home. This will just help to find things that will help you determine if the house is even worth looking into.
