Buying a house is exciting, but it can be time-consuming and stressful. You also have to concern yourself with property inspection, allowing you to notice issues that are easily overlooked. This way, you can avoid costly repairs and save money in the long run.
To help you have an easier time thoroughly inspecting the property you are planning to buy, use this article as your home inspection checklist.
- Uneven or Bouncy Floors
Older homes that have settled over time have uneven floors. However, they may even be safer than newer houses where the foundation has not yet had a chance to shift. However, be wary of newly constructed properties with uneven or bouncy floors.
To check how uneven the floors are, always bring marbles to an open house, placing them and observing if they move around different rooms. The marble test is important because it can help you save money on costly repairs.
For instance, deflections may be costly because it involves ripping out the current floor, correcting the support columns, and looking for a floor that matches the original one. Foundation work might also be required if the floors are very uneven.
- Exterior Tilts and Cracks
The interiors of your desired property may look and feel aesthetically pleasing and durable, but pay attention to the exteriors. Check for tilts and cracks by bringing a leveller, preferably with a laser pointer.
You can also consider getting a structural engineer to inspect. If there are cracks, they should not be more than 1/4 inch wide. Many sellers will try to mud over and paint them, so keep your eyes peeled for a surface or paint mismatch.
- Odours
Room fresheners, potpourri, or scented candles can make you feel at home but beware of them during a property inspection. They can mask a foul odour emanating somewhere in the house and its surroundings. Find out if the sellers are attempting to conceal a nasty smell coming from mould, a leaky pipe, sewage, and the like.
- Noise Level
Don’t get too excited if you hear some of your favourite tunes during a property inspection. The seller may be trying to mask the noise outside by playing loud music in every room. To determine the noise level yourself, ask the seller to turn off all speakers, fans, and air conditioners. You may also have to ask the neighbours if they are noisy at night.
- Ownership History
Check homeownership turnover online. If your potential new home has a high turnover, consider it as a red flag because there may be some serious problems with that house. You can tell if a property has a high turnover if it has an average ownership length of three years or less per owner.
Conclusion
Conducting a home inspection before buying helps you make a more informed decision about your house purchase. Although this process is optional, it’s best to have the property you are eyeing inspected thoroughly. After all, a home costs a lot, so you have to make sure that it is worthwhile.
If you need help completing your property inspection, feel free to hire me. I am Chris Low, an experienced real estate agent, and I can help you buy and sell residential, commercial, or farm real estate in Brandon and Virden. Contact me to have a less time-consuming and more convenient home buying experience!
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