So you finally did it! You worked hard, saved your money for that down payment. You saved, pinched where necessary, did all you were supposed to do in order to get the house you were meant to have. It should all be downhill from here, right? Contrary to what we would like to believe, that is not always the case. However, if you house hunt carefully, then it really can be just as easy as signing the dotted lines, from here on out.
By paying attention to the little things, possible masked problem areas, you might be able to ensure that you really are buying your dream home and not just someone else’s nightmare. Be on the lookout for these five things while house hunting:
Fresh Paint Patches
While many owners who are selling their home may attempt to liven up the place with fresh coats of paint to make the place look more attractive, there are others who may be painting the home in an attempt to hide problem areas. For instance, spots on the ceiling that are discolored could be the results of water damage or foundation problems may be spotted easily by looking cautiously at cracks around the windows. Keep these things in mind if you notice that only small patches are painted and while asking questions.
Skewed Roof
Buying a new roof shortly after you bought your home can be a financial headache unless you are prepared for it. Look closely at the roof and check for missing shingles or tiles that are broken. Don’t be afraid to talk to specialists as they can help you determine what, if anything needs to be replaced. The difference of a few shingles or a whole roof can be a matter of thousands of dollars.
Look for Mud Tubes on Walls, Joists or Ceilings
One of the biggest nightmares a new owner can imagine is finding out they have termites, spiders, ants or other bug issues. Mud tubes are a sure fire sign that there are termites because they build them to travel through. If you have a suspicion of termites, call a pest control expert to ensure this is a problem that will be taken care of correctly.
Rugs or Furniture That Has Been Placed in Odd Positions
Flooring issues are occasionally concealed just simply by placing rugs or furniture pieces in awkward places. Be sure to look more closely at anything that looks odd, out of place or just arranged in a strange manner. Go ahead and look under those rugs, pull out that piece of furniture. Take that picture off the wall and look behind it! Being conscientious in the present can save you thousands in the future.
Water Marks
Many basements can have an unfinished look so this makes it very easy to gloss over details. Don’t fool yourself into thinking a few leaks in the basement isn’t a big deal, not only do you run the risk of letting your things get ruined but it can cause mold!
Don’t let pretty window dressing ambush your vision of a perfect home. It is obtainable if you use caution when house hunting.
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