Are you about to buy a new house and have got your eye on what you think could be a suitable property? Hold your horses! You need to check for a few things before you put any money on the line!
The better a condition a property is in right now, the longer it’s going to be your dream home; don’t let yourself fall into a bad deal just because the house looks good on the surface! Keep these three things in mind as you take one final tour round it before being handed the keys.
How the Plumbing Works
The property’s plumbing should be in good condition right now, even if there are few dents and dings in the pipes here and there. Make sure you ask to see these pipes and ask questions about where the household’s waste ends up. If they haven’t already told you there’s a separate tank that serves your property, this is where you want to know about it!
You also want to find out when the plumbing was put in and if it’s been upgraded over the years since the house was constructed. If you’re about to move into a home that’s 50+ years old and the pipes have never once been seen to, you may want to call out a plumber as soon as you get the keys.
How it’s Heated
While you’re taking a look round the property, make sure you ask the agent or owner how the heating works. What’s going on under the surface to keep the home temperate? You’re doing this to find out whether or not you need to call in radiant heating services once you do move in.
If the home already has a full heating system, with underfloor heating in certain rooms, you won’t need to worry about making sure you can sleep comfortably and wake up without seeing frost on the blankets!
While you’re here, make sure you question the person showing you around about the insulation. Are the windows glazed? How well sealed are the doors? These facts are just as important as knowing where the core heating comes from. If you don’t have proper insulation in the property from day one, any money that goes toward heating and/or air conditioning could go to waste thanks to air gaps.
If There are Signs of Damage
Signs of damage can range from small spots of damp across the ceiling to a massive subsidence problem that’s clear from the cracks in the foundation. If you see anything that suggests something is awry – or indeed, smell anything – be sure to ask what’s going on.
Want to buy a house? A property can have any number of bad signs about it, but you can be willing to work with those as long as you know about them beforehand! Don’t let an overzealous estate agent try to trick you; get the low down and always question things before you hand over any money.
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