What should you look for when inspecting a home?

Among the final steps in the homebuying process is the inspection, in which you go through the entire property, checking it inside and out to make sure everything is in great shape. However, it’s not always easy to spot potential problems, and that’s especially true for first-time buyers. Simply put, you may not always know what you should be looking for.

First and foremost, you should make sure to ask the seller if they have had any persistent problems with the property in the past, and how old various components are. Investopedia noted that even if things look like they’re in good shape now, they might not be that way a year after you bought the home and are fully moved in, and that can be a costly and unfortunate discovery.

A closer examination

Particularly when dealing with things like the roof, water heater, furnace and other key parts of the house that are costly to repair or replace, you want as much assurance as possible that things are as they seem. You will want to not only ask how old all of these things are (and research their general life cycles), but also to give them a careful looking over if they’re nearing the end of those time periods.

Basic stuff

Meanwhile, there are also some general usability issues that could tell you how well the current owners have taken care of the house, CommBank advised. Do windows, doors, cabinets, drawers and so on all open easily? Does the water come out of every faucet and the shower head with plenty of power? Do the locks work as expected?

You might also want to look into livability questions such as whether there is enough closet space, which rooms get the most sunlight throughout the day and how much traffic passes the property every day. These will also just help you get a feel for what life will be like if and when you move in.

Whenever you’re going through the homebuying process — particularly if it’s for the first time — you need to be able to rely on the advice of a trusted, experienced real estate professional. At Ray White Surfers Paradise, we’ve closed innumerable sales and met our clients’ expectations at every turn, and we want to be able to do the same for you. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.